SLS Services

Market Research Recruitment

Resources for Candidates

A variety of useful information to help you in your search for a new position.

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• CV Preparation
• Interview Techniques
• Recruitment Methods
• Codes of Conduct (REC)
• Industry Information

 

CV Preparation

A good CV unlocks the door to the interview room.

The key to writing a good, effective CV is to emphasise your SKILLS, EXPERIENCE and ACHIEVEMENTS — so illustrating your suitability for the role.

On average, CV’s are read for just two minutes. Therefore it’s really important to be clear and succinct and to try to ensure that your CV stands out from the pack.

There are a number of ways in which you can achieve this:

PREPARATION

• Take time to plan your CV.
• Prepare lists of your skills and achievements, covering employment, education, extra curricular activities and general skills.
• Think about the roles you are applying for and the type of information you need to convey to these potential employers. What do they want to hear?

FORMAT & DESIGN

• Condense information to a maximum of two pages.
• Use your name in large bold capitals as the title, not the words curriculum vitae.
• Write in note form - not long hand (if you find this hard try using bullet points).
• Make sure your CV is eye-catching. Give careful thought to layout, spacing, font type and headings.
• If appropriate, use coloured inks or paper to create impact.
• Print your CV on good quality paper.

CONTENT

• Lead with a brief personal history section, emphasising your contact details
• Next outline your employment history. Make sure that is the largest and most prominent section within your CV and that it appears on page one.
• Ensure that you emphasise your employment achievements and accomplishments — talk about responsibilities and results (e.g. team size managed, revenues generated etc).
• Aim to create an impression of career consistency and progression.
• Consider including a brief personal profile that gives an overview of your employment skills, areas of strength (e.g. strong team-leader, excellent communicator etc) and career objectives.
• Include sections highlighting all relevant educational qualifications and general skills.
• Use active, dynamic and simple language throughout (e.g. achieved, initiated, created etc).
• Include some relevant industry buzzwords — let them know you’re in the know.
• Be honest. If it won’t stand up in an interview don’t include it in your CV.

EDIT & REVIEW

• Re-read and cut out any deadwood — such as flowery descriptions and irrelevant material. Condense, condense, condense.
• Proofread carefully — eradicate spelling and grammatical errors.
• Always ask someone else to read and double-check your CV.