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Our 10 most popular blog posts of 2011

December 29th, 2011

As the end of the year fast approaches, we would like to give you a quick run down of our best blog posts of 2011.

Take a look below for our most viewed blogs of this year combining a variety of topics including; graduate and student news, current affairs, careers advice, case studies and all topped off with some Inspiring office antics.

1. The weirdest job interview questions

Do you have an interview coming up and have no clue what they are going to ask you? Find out the oddest interview questions that have been used by some of the biggest multi-national companies. Read more

2. Why National Minimum Wage does not mean a fair deal for interns

Nick Clegg launched his social mobility strategy this year and announced that the Government would be doing more to ensure internships are open for all.  We give our opinions on the importance of raising the standards of internships for all but why enforcing NMW for every single internship is neither appropriate nor necessarily beneficial for interns themselves. Read more

3. 9 ways to beat those ‘graduate blues’

Are you at the stage between leaving university and finding out what you want to do next and feeling slightly lost? Here are 9 tips on how to deal with this normal reaction to graduating from university. Read more

4. What is a Digital Marketing Executive?

Companies are increasingly realising the importance of digital marketing in enhancing their business thus creating many new career paths and job titles. We catch up with a digital marketing intern Joe Kiddle to find out what the role entails. Read more

5. A graduate guide to LinkedIn

LinkedIn serves as an online CV and allows you to connect with friends, colleagues and companies in professional capacity.  The value of LinkedIn is immeasurable however it is not being used effectively enough by graduates during the job hunt. This blog post offers advice on how to set up your own LinkedIn account and how to actively update it. Read more

6. Graduate unemployment figures highest in over a decade

It was reported back in January that one in five of those who have left university in the past year are unable to find work within six months. The report from the Office for National Statistics suggests graduates have been hit hardest by the economic downturn. Read more

7. The big office move!

This year we said a sad farewell to our old office and moved down the road to our new headquarters. We documented the move in pictures from the emptying of the old office to the building of the new. Have a nose through the final office pictures here.

8. The alternative to graduate schemes 2011

Graduate schemes are highly desirable for many university leavers and there are plenty of benefits if you are accepted onto one. However, with record numbers of students graduating this year, competition for these schemes is high. We have put together some alternative ways to land a graduate job that can be an equally, if not more, rewarding step onto the career ladder. Read more

9. Graduates are working in low skilled jobs

It was reported earlier this year that university leavers are increasingly taking menial jobs that do not require a degree.  New statistics published by the Association of Accounting Technicians reveals that 40% of last year’s graduates are ‘underemployed’ in lower-skilled jobs six months after leaving university. Read More

10. Cheap and cheerful Christmas presents – guest blog

One of our guest bloggers, Sara Royle offers her tips on how to buy Christmas presents on a minimal budget ensuring your nearest and dearest get lovely gifts, and that you can still afford to pay that dreaded winter heating bill. Useful if you need a late present! Read More

Happy New Year from the Inspiring Team!

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How to move on from rejection – guest blog

December 14th, 2011

Written by guest blogger, Jenna Birks who blogs at Decent Online Presence and tweets @jenloubee

It’s a funny thing, rejection. It can set you back a long way. After spending many weeks in my final year of university, pointlessly applying to jobs that I was not qualified for and didn’t want to do, I finally came to realise that it is about the quality of your applications not the quantity. Each job application should be tailored, aimed specifically for that job role and emphasising exactly how you meet the person specification. I only apply to jobs now that I absolutely 100% want to be doing.

I know all the rules. I’ve applied to enough jobs by now to know exactly how it’s done. So when I applied for an internship at The Guardian I was incredibly hopeful that I would at least get an interview. Having received the generic rejection email a few days ago, it’s clear that I did not. The email states that I am unable to reply, and unable to ask for feedback – leaving me with no idea where I went wrong. Obviously, as we all keep hearing, the jobs are very competitive, but you have to wonder what it is that is making other people stand out when you get overlooked?

During an assessment day at an advertising agency last year, us interviewees were waiting to go in for our second interview when the conversation got round to what other interviews everyone had coming up. It was graduate scheme season in advertising, and we were all comparing applications and stand-out tricks. I remember this one girl telling me that she had got an interview by sending her application by courier, in a shoe box with an old shoe so that – and I quote – she could at least get her foot in the door. Now, if I were a recruiter, that would scream cliché, desperation as well as the fact that the girl is obviously rich enough to send every job application hand-delivered by courier. But hey, it’s not my advertising agency.

But, not every recruiter would have given shoe-girl (as I so fondly call her) an interview, and not every interviewer will want to see a job application that perfectly presents and ticks every box of the job description. Maybe in a bid to show off my skills and make them obvious and clear to potential employers, I have made applying for jobs a science, stupidly believing that I have found the formula that will get me interviews. But it’s not that simple, really, or we’d all be doing it.

In the end, I guess that’s the point. The graduate job market is tough, and as much as we don’t want to face this reality, there really are tens of people going for every job advertised. If everyone applied in the same precise and organised way that I did then it becomes much harder to distinguish between them. Job applications aren’t a science, they aren’t even an art or a talent. Ultimately, they are down to luck.

You need to be lucky to have figured out exactly what skills the job really requires. Lucky to have that little bit of previous experience that you happened to mention to tick that invisible extra box. Lucky to have the recruiter read your application just after their morning coffee, and just before reading all the others the same as yours. Lucky to have someone who finds you readable, who relates to your experience, who can follow and be drawn into your narrative. Or just lucky to have found someone that finds your old shoe-in-a-box routine original and enjoyable.

But if job hunting is just about luck, then shouldn’t we be trying to increase our odds? Surely we should play as many hands as possible, on the off-chance we might just get lucky. Logically, it makes a lot of sense, but I don’t think it’s the way to go. Better to play the hands we know, the ones we have faith in to do well and can follow through on even when the house raises the stakes. Gambling analogy-aside, it’s important that we keep focused and channel this passion and self-belief into our job search so that when we finally reach our goal, and finally find ourselves in a graduate job, that it is still absolutely the job we always wanted.

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What is the right mind set for an internship? – guest blog

December 9th, 2011

Guest post written by David Shindler, author of Learning to Leap, a Guide to Being More Employable.

“Mind set will often trump skills,” says John Reed, Chairman of the recruitment firm, Reed.

Exhibiting the right mind set, indeed, can turn a pedestrian CV — and interview — into a genuine opportunity for employment. But what is the right mind set? What are employers looking for — from you?

Positive attitude

Enthusiasm and a ‘can do’ attitude come from your personality, choosing your attitude and enjoying your job. Take initiative, empathise and see how to make things better.

Self-management

Employers want active people willing to take responsibility; self-starters who are assertive, flexible, resilient, balanced, reliable, able to juggle tasks, committed to their own development and presentable.

Teamwork

Knowing what good teamwork looks like–and how you can best contribute based on your strengths; co-operating, leading and following in order to deliver a professional service or product and enhance the customer experience.

Communication

Listening, questioning well to build rapport, empathy and productive relationships to achieve what the business requires.  Putting across your views coherently, fluently and confidently.  Producing clear, structured written work.

Using technology

Information/social communication tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, collaboration, mobiles, search engines and the Internet.  Embrace the digital revolution or become obsolete.

Solving problems

Analysing facts and situations; creative thinking and working collaboratively to develop solutions.   Creativity is applying your imagination – we all have one.

Knowing numbers

Quick mental calculations, estimating, how to work out a percentage instantly.  Applying basic numerical concepts to everyday life takes you a long way–understanding statistical significance is significant.

Business and customer awareness

A fundamental part of being employable is how well you manage your relationships with customers or users; align your mind set with the behaviour you want to present to a customer; look wider than your role.

Of course, not all of us are good at every skill set above. The secret is to “sell” what you’re good at before and during your internship — and articulate a willingness to learn those not yet mastered. Most important, you must convincingly show how your skill set will solve the problem of the employer — now and long-term.

Want more practical advice?

Next time an interviewer or your boss as an intern says, “Tell me about you..?” — instead of telling them where you live, went to school, or about your mates — start with this list of skill and mind sets, and show them you are employable!

David Shindler is the author of Learning to Leap, a Guide to Being More Employable.  An experienced coach, consultant and facilitator, David helps people at any life stage accelerate their employability.  He also owns the Employability Hub, an online social learning community where people share and learn about employability issues, runs the Learning to Leap LinkedIn group and Facebook page. Contact him for more details – tweet him or visit his website at www.employabilitycoaching.co.uk.

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Ten interview mistakes

November 8th, 2011

We have been speaking to some employers who take on graduates about interview tips & techniques. Instead of putting this into the standard interview tips blog that we have all read before, we have compiled the following list of things you shouldn’t do. Everyone knows you should do some research and arrive on time, but what else?

Don’t be too early. Plan for everything to go wrong, do arrive early, find a cafe and then get there around ten minutes before the interview is due to begin.

Don’t forget to wash your hands. It sounds simple, but having dirty hands or stuff written on hands will be visible to the interviewer. You’ll almost definitely shake someone’s hand and you probably don’t realise how much you use your hands when you are talking. So put down that newspaper on your way there.

Don’t forget to be nice to the receptionist or whoever greets you! More often than not, the interviewer will ask this person what they thought of you.

Don’t fidget! Sit still, remain calm and compose yourself. Speak clearly and give the interviewer a good impression of yourself.

Don’t apologise for being nervous. Of course you’re nervous, this is fine. The interviewer knows this, and apologising could make things a little awkward.

Don’t lie. Be honest.

Don’t forget to sound enthusiastic. If you want to come out of the interview successfully, sound like you do. If you are lacking passion, either fake it, or question why it is you are really there. If you can’t fake enthusiasm, don’t go to the interview. You’re only wasting time.

Don’t ask about how much you will earn or the amount of holiday you will have until the very end of the final interview. Be it an interview for a graduate internship or permanent job, wait until the interview has concluded. Usually the interviewer will bring the issue up when they feel comfortable.

Don’t pretend you have no weaknesses. This is an absolutely classic interview question, so prepare for it. Unfortunately, you are not a superhero and everyone has a weakness. Make sure that you can turn your weakness into a positive. For example – you could admit that you are not very proficient with MS Excel, and counter this by stating that you are planning to take an online course to improve.

Don’t forget to continue in ‘interview mode’ until you are completely out of ear and eyeshot of the office. You never know who will be watching!

The advice we at Inspiring Interns would give you on top of all this, is to be yourself.

Do you have any further advice? Let us know by commenting below!

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Impress when assessed – guest blog

November 1st, 2011

Written by guest blogger, Michael Palmer.

Being invited to attend an assessment day raises a lot of emotions, excitement, nervousness and a fear of the unknown. This post aims to take the sting out of your big day by offering some effective tips. More likely than not, your assessment day will see your performance monitored in three main tasks; a standard interview, a group exercise and a relevant test.

Here is how to cope with them:

The test:

In regards to the test there is little to be offered in the way of advice. The blurb the company send to you regarding the assessment day should tell you what sort of test you are likely to be taking (i.e. numerical, psychometric, written). Brush up on your skills prior to the big day, for example, if you are taking a psychometric test, swot up by taking mock psychometric tests online.

The group task:

Although the group tasks can take many differing forms, they are mainly testing for the same skills; negotiation, problem solving, time management, and most importantly, team work. The assessors will not be too concerned with whether you succeed in the task but more with how you coped throughout it.

Here are some tips that can help you stand out:

1)      Understand the brief – ensure that you and everyone else is sure about what they have to do to begin with, re-read the brief outline if needs be.

2)      Keep an eye on the clock –when making your plan suggest how long each section should take, throughout the task also ensure that you keep the group aware of the time or nominate a timekeeper, this will impress the assessors.

3)      Make sensible, constructive comments – ensure that you contribute and contribute, assessors can only score what they see and hear.

4)      Talk to the group, not the assessors – a sure fire way to be marked down.

5)      Be nice – show regard for the quieter members of the group, ask for their thoughts on the tasks. Demonstrate tact when disagreeing with a group member i.e. ‘that is a good point but perhaps we should think about…’ A domineering attitude will not be looked upon favourably, be relaxed, approachable and use humour if the opportunity arises.

The interview:

For the interview itself, the normal rules of preparing for an interview apply:

1)      Do not be caught out – re-read your CV and covering letter so you cannot be put on the spot by a probing question.

2)      Arm yourself with knowledge – research the company, find out who its competitors are, re-read the job description, read industry magazines or blogs to gain relevant topical information. In short, be as well informed as possible

3)      Sell yourself well – as well as re-reading the job criteria, prepare examples for when you have demonstrated the necessary criteria.  A good way of presenting these examples is the STAR technique which is:

Situation – I was working at a busy holiday resort.

Task – I was asked to encourage more customers into the restaurant.

Action – I started advertising the restaurant to holidaymakers on the beach.

Result – Increased productivity and sales for the restaurant.

Informal activities:

Remember that it is not only during these three tasks you are being assessed but right throughout the day. I am assuming that you are already planning to dress to impress but something you may not have considered if how to act during the informal activities. Whether it is at lunch or during a tour of the building, you will still be being judged. Therefore make sure that you give a good impression of yourself. Be friendly and approachable whilst remaining professional. Use the informal breaks to mingle with any management present (not the point of being creepy mind). Make the most of this opportunity and ask intelligent questions about the company or the industry.

After the assessment day:

Finally, no matter how hard you try, you are statistically more likely to not get the job or internship than you are to get it. If this is the case do not see the experience as a waste of time. When I attended my assessment day we were told out of the 879 people that applied, we were the final ten. Getting to the assessment day is an achievement and proof that your CV is taken seriously. By taking part in the assessment day you not only gain experience in the environment which will make you better prepared next time. You should also use the day to network. I was told that although I was unsuccessful I had impressed the assessors and to keep in touch. I did so and two weeks later I was offered the opportunity to interview for another role. Unfortunately, the role was not in the field I am looking for so I turned it down; still, the value of making an impression and networking at assessment days is evident.  Finally, if you are offered feedback make sure you take it. It is only through learning where you went wrong that you can improve your performance for next time.

I hope this post will help you prepare for your assessment day, good luck!

Check out Michael’s blog for further advice about the graduate job market and follow him on Twitter @mbpalmer

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New graduates have a lot to offer

October 5th, 2011

As a graduate going into an oversubscribed job market it is hard to see how you will compete with people who have far more industry experience than you. Obviously, don’t overlook the importance of gaining that experience but also think of what qualities you can offer a company that an industry veteran cannot. Just consider what sets you apart from someone who has 10+ years of experience and you will actually find that you are extremely marketable.

You need to be confident in yourself and your application and not overlook the qualities you have that can set you apart from the competition. So here are some points to remember:

You have ambition and eagerness to learn.

As a graduate you are energetic, motivated and eager to learn. A lot graduates are looking to “climb up the ladder” in a company, rather than working simply as a means to an end. This is extremely attractive to potential employers.

You are more at home with the latest technology trends.

Technology is crucial to any business and every employee has to have a certain extent of technical know-how. However, we are the first generation who have grown up with technology and practiced it just about every day. With the growing digital sector and importance of social media; employers understand the importance of technology in developing business and take it very seriously. Don’t take for granted your ability to use and keep up with the latest technology trends, it isn’t easy for everyone.

You are a quick learner with fresh knowledge from university.

Any prior education is very important in the workplace and as a recent graduate all of the latest business practices and theories will be fresh in your mind, which is something not everyone can say. This will allow you to pick things up very quickly in industry, something highly valued by employers.

You have innovative new ideas.

As a young graduate you will bring a new outlook and fresh ideas to improve the efficiency or success of a company – employers value that!

It is not easy leaving university and facing the current graduate job market but being young does bring its advantages in the business world.  If you have confidence in your own ability and qualities that set you apart then you will be sure to impress potential employers.

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Creating a good first impression on your first day

September 1st, 2011

New university graduates are facing a tough job market, so once you a land a job it is imperative to demonstrate your worth from the offset.It takes just a quick glance for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. Therefore it is important to know how to create a good, lasting first impression.

So, here are a few tips on how make a great first impression to hold on to that first graduate job or turn that internship into a permanent role:

1.      Be on time! This is the first step in creating a good first impression so plan to arrive a few minutes early and allow flexibility for traffic delays etc. Whoever you are meeting for the first time will not be interested in your “good excuse” for running late. Don’t be ridiculously early either, go and grab a coffee.

2.      Present yourself appropriately. Our appearance is usually the first clue someone we meet has to go on so make sure your appearance is portraying the right message. Think about the company and the industry and dress suitably. Make sure you are well groomed with clean and tidy clothes. This will also make you feel ‘the part’ giving you a confidence boost.

3.      A good handshake! Nobody likes a ‘limp fish’ so practice your handshake before your first day.

4.      Always smile! Even if you are shy, a smile shows that you are engaged and interested in what the people you are meeting have to say. A warm and confident smile will leave a great lasting impression, so flash those pearly whites!

5.      Pay attention to your body language. Crossed arms, wandering eyes or yawning convey that you are not approachable or interested in what people have to say. Try not to play with your hair too much and avoid repeatedly touching your face as this is a sign of nervousness.

6.      Remember names! If you are bad with names try and repeat everyone’s name back to them and use it in the conversation. This will help you to remember it in the future, which makes you seem really on top of your game.

7.      Find a connection. You should look for something you have in common with the person you are talking to as this will help them remember you.

8.      Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Nobody is going to be angry at you for needing help in your first few days. This is the time to learn so if you are confused on where to go or what to do then ask!

9.      Listen! Displaying that sparkling personality is important but talking too much and not listening enough is a huge turn-off.

10.  Be polite! It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behaviour help make a good first impression.

Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So follow these simple tips and you should nail that first impression. Good luck!

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How to write a stand out CV with little to no experience – guest blog

August 23rd, 2011

Guest Post written by Sachin Shah, Director of International at www.SimplyHired.co.uk

Recent graduates are often faced with this problem: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. Getting your CV to stand out from the hundreds of other graduates is challenging with little to no work experience under your belt. To compete, you’ll need to show a future employer what you have that the others don’t.

You may have more experience than you think. Making a list of everything you have done and what you learnt from each activity is an excellent way to remind yourself about the amount of transferable skills you have. Your CV needs to be professional as a graduate, but coursework, volunteer opportunities, summer jobs and even involvement in extra-curricular activities can show what skills you already hold; even singing in your university choir can give you some great transferable skills. Here are four ways to identify your transferable skills and build out your CV!

1. Coursework

If you took part in research as part of your degree at university and it‘s relevant to the job you’re looking for, include this on your CV. You may not have hands on experience, but your research will show that you have background knowledge that other applicants may not.

2. Summer Jobs

Summer jobs of any sort will have transferable skills. You may not think that your brief summer job at the local restaurant will help you when you start your job search.  However, when you work in a restaurant you will learn great customer service skills; working as waiting or bar staff is all about making the customer happy. Many roles involve you dealing with clients who will want the same treatment as someone eating at a restaurant – great service and meeting their demands!

3. Volunteering

It is very attractive to potential employers to see that you’re the type of person who is interested in contributing to the greater good. Volunteering will teach you skills such as team work and allow you to get a sense of work place environments. Having different volunteering initiatives on your CV also shows that you are proactive and aren’t treating graduation as a long-term holiday.

4. Extra-Curriculars

Extra-curricular activities are a confusing area when it comes to your CV. Graduates may not think it, but even being in a choir or a member of a sports team are great activities to include when job hunting for the first time. They show you have commitment; creativity and that you can work well with a team. These are great transferable skills and including these experiences on your CV will show a prospective employer that you have great background knowledge and specific skills, even if you’ve never spent time working in an office.

For more job search tips and advice, visit blog.SimplyHired.co.uk and begin your job search on www.SimplyHired.co.uk.

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Don’t overlook skills from a temporary job

August 12th, 2011

If you have you graduated this summer and are currently updating your CV then make sure you don’t discount any work experience you have already accrued. This may be a summer or weekend job that has nothing to do with your degree or field of interest, but you will have  gained important skills that are transferable to positions within your chosen career path.

You may have taken temporary work simply in order to fund your studies or while you look for your first graduate internship or job, but don’t overlook the invaluable skills it will have taught you. In almost all positions you will be required to work in teams, communicate with others and use your initiative to solve problems. Employers regard these soft skills very highly. It also proves to future employers that you have the motivation to find a job during your holidays as well as a strong work ethic. If you have maintained a job during your studies then this shows that you have great time-management and organisational skills.

When updating your CV, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews don’t overlook the experience you picked up through your part-time job.  You need to think about how the skills you have learnt can be transferred to the role you are applying for. You should then use examples of when you have put these skills into practice in your cover letter or at an interview: e.g. “I showed initiative when developing a process to streamline customer ordering process, which increased the restaurants overall efficiency.”

If you have spent summers working in a restaurant then you will have learnt great customer service skills as this role is all about making the customer happy. In many roles this skill is invaluable as you may have clients or managers requiring great service and meeting their demands.

You may have spent every Saturday since your were 16 working in a clothes shop or supermarket which means you are sitting on a wealth of experience. Working within retail helps you develop some impressive traits: not only unbelievable customer service and team work but handling stock and dealing with money on a daily basis. When applying for a job in areas such as merchandising, buying, selling and even marketing then employers will be happy to see retail work on your CV as it will prove that you have certain brand awareness.

Perhaps you spend your summers volunteering, which can provide some amazing skills. For example if you are working with children you will be able to prove your leadership skills by taking charge of groups of kids. You will have to use initiative and creativity to keep them excited and engaged, and this will help you in the future when you need to produce exciting ideas for projects at work. By volunteering you will also prove to a potential employer  that you are happy to help others in your own time.

Therefore don’t neglect the skills you have gained from a temporary job. Any experience is good experience even if you don’t think it is relevant to your chosen career path. Employers think very highly of soft skills but make sure you tailor the experience to the job you are applying for.

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A simple redesign of your CV – guest blog

July 14th, 2011

Written by Bill Post, Small Business Research Analyst.

Ever read a huge stack of CVs? Believe me, it’s difficult. When vetting candidates with similar interests, backgrounds and qualifications, the information often starts to run together. Particularly in this difficult job market, when CVs are pouring in to employers in record numbers, many recruiters are having difficulty distinguishing among a pool of really well qualified applicants. Therefore, any internship or job seekers who haven’t spent a great deal of time working on the content and the look of their CVs are making a terrible mistake. Because your CV is your chance to make a good first impression with a prospective employer, if your CV doesn’t put your best foot forward, chances are you won’t make the cut. But you don’t have to be a design expert or a graphic artist to churn out a first class CV. Some very simple design techniques can enhance the quality of most any CV.

Selecting the Paper

Although some employers now accept CVs electronically, others will expect a hard copy. For those that you mail out, selecting the paper on which to print your information is actually a bigger decision than one might expect. What should be an easy choice can get complicated because of the multitude of options available. Job applicants today have an enormous selection of available paper styles to choose from – from numerous interesting colours to subtle marbleized background effects and the like. If you want to be taken seriously, keep it simple. Opt for good quality paper in conservative colours (think white, ivory), often marketed as “CV paper.”

Page Limit

I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen recent college graduates with CVS consisting of 2, 3 and even 4 pages. While a lengthy curriculum vitae may be appropriate for an academic with numerous prestigious publications under his belt, most people should keep their CVs to one single page. The reason is twofold. First, most employers receive many applications, and carefully reviewing CVs from numerous candidates takes time. Busy professionals don’t have time to read about the organisations you were a member of in school or what all of your interests are. Second, on a related note, confining your CV to a single page will help you focus on what’s really important.

Eliminating Clutter

Ok, so you’ve accepted the single-page rule discussed above. What’s next? The most common mistake made after CV writers accept this one-page advice is to retain most, if not all, of the content from their longer CV simply by reducing fonts and margins to make all the information fit on one page. Huge mistake! Again, recruiters are busy and shouldn’t have to pull out a magnifying glass to try to make sense out of the information you’ve provided. The goal is to make your CV attractive and easy to read. Cramming tons of information on the page will create a huge obstacle in efforts to achieve that objective. After all, you don’t want to give them every detail of your life upfront. Providing them with just a few details about the important aspects of your education and professional background is ideal to make an employer want to meet you and set up an interview to learn more.

Utilising White Space

Most job seekers overlook the aesthetic appeal that including some simple white space can add to a CV. Because most applicants are so focused on content, they lose sight of the fact that, for better or for worse, as in life, sometimes appearance does matter when it comes to applying for jobs. The tips provided above concerning the elimination of clutter are a good first step. However, make sure that the margins you’ve selected look appropriate. And make sure there is adequate space between each entry in the CV to enhance the visual appeal. Capitalising on white space is one of the easiest, but most commonly neglected, strategies in creating a stellar CV.

Typeface

Your computer’s default font is not necessary the most attractive typeface available. While restraint is important in selecting your CV’s typeface, as with selecting the quality and colour of paper, rest assured that the employers you contact will be overloaded with CVs printed in Times New Roman. To be fair, Times New Roman is perfectly fine and is easy to read, but any opportunity you can find to make your CV stand out in a positive way is important. Consider using Georgia font or Book Antiqua, which are not drastically different from the traditional Times New Roman, but those fonts do have a little more personality. On the other hand, using fancy or overly complicated typefaces will make your CV stand out for the wrong reasons.

Using Bolds, Italics and All Caps

Using the bold, italics and ALL CAPS features of your word processing system can be a good way to help employers easily skim your CV. Although the goal is to have a recruiter read everything you give them, they’ll appreciate it if you help them breeze through an initial review of your CV by using these kinds of stylistic devices. For example, displaying section titles, such as “Education” and “Professional Experience,” in all capital letters is a common approach. And writing the names of the schools you attended and the names of past employers in bold will help that information stand out. Also, italicising certain items, such as the degrees you’ve earned and the positions held with past employers, as long as done consistently, can aid in a quick review of a CV. However, job applicants beware: overuse of these features can make an otherwise impressive CV look amateurish.

Bill Post, Small Business Research Analyst, has been providing research on issues of concern to small businesses for 123Print.com Business Cards for three years. Prior to his involvement with 123Print, Bill was a small business owner himself, providing marketing and branding services to other small businesses in the Washington, DC metro area. Before working with 123Print on Business Card Templates, Bill spent several years after receiving his degree in the fast-paced corporate world. It was there that Bill not only honed the skills he uses to help small businesses get ahead, but it is also where he realised that he’d rather help the little guy prosper than make huge corporations money.

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