CV Essentials

Presentation

A CV must be clear and easy to read, if it is not the prospective employer or recruiter will be have difficulty digesting the information on it. A well laid out structure on crisp white paper usually works best. Also spelling and grammar mistakes are obviously a no-no. As recruiters we can testify that our eyes are instantly drawn to the upper middle section on the first page; so make sure this displays the most key information and selling point about your profile. Display your key strength first; if that is a relevant degree then place that above work experience.

Be Concise

A CV should always be tailored to the sector and companies for which you are applying. It’s never a good idea to have a “one fits all” CV which you send out for a variety of different roles. Your profile is your opportunity to reassure a potential employer that you are an excellent fit for their vacancy. In order to do this in a concise manner whilst avoiding irrelevant detail, the key requirements must be present. Have more than one CV for different sectors and make adaptations to these if the role is a variation of the one you last applied for. Keep your CV to two pages and with that in mind; do not feel obliged to display a full career history if it is rather long; the last ten years is sufficient. Update your CV regularly to ensure that it displays the correct contact details in addition to the most relevant details.

Relevance

Read the job description thoroughly. Spend some time picking out the key words and core requirements. This will tell you everything you need to know, you may even be able to read between the lines a little. Ensure that if you satisfy a requirement you have evidenced this clearly. For all other requirements, discuss your transferable skills. This does not mean an empty list of generic terms that prospective employers hear all the time, like motivated and well organised. Instead give excellent examples that show the context of these skills and how you have used them; this additionally says something about your character. Voluntary work or unique interests can also be an area to showcase your skills and relate them to a role. Heading  a mountain climb for example show confidence, leadership and the ability to push yourself in additionally to most likely being physically fit and healthy.

Testimonials

References should include at least two previous employers or a lecturer if you are a Graduate. Always add the most reputable referees that you can. Your referees are a testimonial of your capabilities as en employee.

Small Business Digital Media - Learning From Amex and Twitter

Brand Partnership

With 2013 off to a start, big brands are leading the way in digital and social media development. It has been suggested that brand partnership with be a key trend this year for big and small businesses alike. Last month, Britt Michaelian, writing for the Huffington post outlined the importance of this technique for small businesses going forward into 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/britt-michaelian/social-media-small-business_b_2491821.html

Creativity is an essential part of maximising on brand awareness and online presence through collaborative digital and social media campaigns. Do not be afraid to think outside of the box and marry up two seemingly incompatible ideas, concepts and tools. Relevance and the ultimate message are still a consideration; you wouldn’t necessarily want to allow the advertising of a dental health care range on your confectionary website. However it is all about functionality and consumer accessibility.

A perfect example of this is the new partnership between American Express and Twitter. The brand partnership of two power houses is working on a “pay by tweet” purchasing system through the medium of micro blogging.

 “According to the Wall Street Journal, the new service with Amex would let people who link their cards to their Twitter accounts buy products simply by tweeting in response to special offers made over the service.” Charles Arthur, the Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/12/twitter-american-express-pay-by-tweet

“American Express card holders who connect their card numbers to their Twitter accounts can post on Twitter to trigger a purchase of select products, including discounted American Express gift cards, Kindle Fire tablets from Amazon.com Inc. and jewellery from designer Donna Karan. The program will roll out over the next few days.” http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/02/11/twitter-amex-to-collaborate-on-e-commerce-sales-on-twitter/

Twitter already receives impressive revenue figures for promoting brands and this in another string to their bow, not just for tangible goods but virtual as well. This will open up a whole new promotion and payments system with brands working in tandem. The next brands forecast to make these changes are Xbox Live, Facebook and FourSquare.

Small businesses will be focusing heavily on brand awareness in addition to boosting sales and requests for services this year and brand partnership holds some lessons for them too. Getting a head in digital media and opening up collaborative opportunities will require well researched, engaging content; in addition to creativity and not being afraid to ask.

For more inspiration see:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/brand-partnerships.

Google Pays Lip Service To Digital Publishers

Following the fall and making up out between Google and French news organisations over the digital publishing row it has been unveiled that the agreement document was only printed half an hour before the signing off ceremony. Marc Schwartz, the mediator appointed by the French government and Nathalie Collin, chief representative of the French Press considered calling off the signing due to unacceptable changes by Google. The document had to be rewritten and just about made the deadline. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2013/feb/04/google-french-press-entente?INTCMP=SRCH

Google had agreed to set up a £53m “digital publishing innovation fund” in order to boost online advertising revenue for new organisations in France. The European publishers who have been losing money had complained to governments in France, Germany and Italy. Their objection stemmed from the fact that Google was displaying content without having to pay for it giving readers access for free. Google retaliated by refusing to display European indexes if it was forced to pay for content. An agreement was announced on Friday 31st between the French government and Google stipulating that the news organisations were allowed access to Google advertising and in return Google could display “snippets” of news content in its search results.

‘France had appointed a mediator to lead negotiations with French publishers and they called the deal a "happy conclusion".

Google's chairman, Eric Schmidt, was present at the Elysée Palace with President François Hollande to sign the deal after what the president's office said were "intense negotiations".

"Our search engine generates billions of clicks each month, and our advertising solutions – in which we have invested billions of dollars – help them make money from that traffic," Schmidt said of the deal on the Google blog.’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/01/google-52m-fund-help-french-publishers?INTCMP=SRCH

The digital publishing innovation fund may point towards a genuine cooperation between France news organisations and Google but a critic might say its mere lip service. If Google indexes new content without having to pay for it, it seems Google will subsequently set up a fund to assist publishers accrue future revenue. This seems more like damage limitation and does little to calm angry publisher but resolving the issue at heart. The news organisation came out with a solution that they did not ask for but goes some way to smooth things over. With that in mind, the comments of executive chairman Eric Schmidt appear rather condescending.

‘“Google has worked with news publishers around the globe for years to help them make the most of the web,” he explained, pointing out that the company’s Web searches generate “billions of clicks each month.” When you take that in conjunction with its advertising solutions, the project could generate additional revenue outside of the traditional funding streams journalism has used in the past. Furthermore, he added that the launch of Google Play gave publishers new way to make money, “including through paid subscriptions.”’

http://www.digitaltrends.com/international/google-to-create-digital-publishing-innovation-fund-for-european-publishers/

Interview Tips

Six Things Not To Do

For many people, the most stressful part of the job-hunting process is the interview. That's the time when you have to sell yourself and prove why you're perfectly suited for the job. Well-qualified people stumble and make mistakes that kill their chances of getting the job.                

Here are the most common mistakes I see people make:

Carrying too much stuff into the interview: 

You want to seem the consummate professional, not a harried traveler navigating through airport security. A slim portfolio or folder to carry extra resumes, pad and pen is all you should have. Ask if you can store your overcoat, umbrella or heavy bag while you are interviewing. Don't carry a beverage into the interview but if they offer you something during your meeting, always take the water. If you get thirsty later, you'll appreciate it (and unlike soda, coffee and tea, water dries clear should you spill it.)

Bragging that you're a “Perfectionist”

Many interviewers will see this as a red flag; it means you're difficult to work with and will never let go of a project. Say, instead, you're detail-oriented.

Confessing to multiple weaknesses:

Interviewers commonly ask job applicants to describe their biggest weakness to see if people are humble and self-aware enough to identify something they can improve upon. But that doesn't mean you should cite a list of faults. Name one weakness that is relevant to the job, and explain how you are working to improve that skill.

Giving obviously rehearsed answers:

It's important that you seem relatable, natural and likable, as well as competent and smart. Show your personality since the interviewer is checking you out for a workplace fit. I think of this as the "airport test": If the interviewer got stuck in the airport with you for several hours, would he or she consider you a desirable co-worker? Or would you be the kind of person who drove everyone crazy?

Having no clue about the company you're interviewing with: 

You should always be able to answer the question, "Tell me what you know about this company." Before the interview, you need to check out the company's website and speak with people who might also know the organization. This is how the human resources team determines if you are just fishing for any job or you are genuinely interested in their company and this particular opportunity. An interviewer wants to know that you took the time to do your due diligence since competition is fierce and not preparing indicates a lack of seriousness.