10 CV Mistakes That Put Employers Off Your Candidates

10 CV Mistakes That Put Employers Off Your Candidates If your candidate is applying for new opportunities, you need to see off their competition and show that they are the best person for the job. This starts with their CV. Their CV is generally the first opportunity they get to make a great impression and to sell their skills and experience. If it doesn’t make an impact, you won’t secure that all-important interview for them. One key thing that many job seekers neglect to think about when preparing their CV is what the client  for each particular role wants to see. It’s easy to fire out a generic CV for every job, however tweaking their personal profile and tailoring their skills will significantly improve their chances. How can you get them to think like you? Well, CV-Library have conducted some new research that will help them. Having spoken to 200 recruiters about their biggest pet peeves, they can now reveal exactly what is putting them off their candidates CV. Use this handy checklist for your candidates to check their CVs. 1. Spelling mistakes This one is obvious, right? Well it’s a recruiters biggest pet peeve and you would be surprised by just how many CVs do have spelling and grammatical errors. Spelling mistakes are easy to fix, just ensure that your candidate proofreads their CV a few times and ask friends and family to check it too. It would be a real shame if avoidable mistakes cost them an interview. 2. Being massively under-qualified If they don’t have some of the essential job requirements, tell them not to apply. It’s a waste of your time and it’s a waste of their  time. 3. Lists of unrelated skills The skills your candidate talks about on their CV should always be relevant to the role they are applying for. This is where tailoring comes in. For every role you should ensure your candidates are highlighting the skills it requires and remove any completely irrelevant skills or experience. 4. Too many jobs over a short time period If your candidate has changed roles a lot, clients will suspect they’re just a job hopper. Their record suggests that they will shortly leave this role as well which may prevent them from being considered. 5. More than 2 pages Your candidates CV should never need to be longer than 2 pages and long CVs are a big no-no. 6. Your picture What your candidate looks like does not reflect their skills or how well they can do a role (unless they’re a model). 7. Buzzwords Many job seekers use a lot of jargon and big words in an effort to sound professional. However, it’s important to remember that what you want to know is what they’ve done previously and what they will bring to your next role. Tell your candidates not to over-do it. 8. A CV that is ‘too creative’ Jazzy fonts, unusual layouts and lots of images is unlikely to impress you. If your candidate is going for a creative role, then they may want their CV to be more creative however its best they don’t do it at the cost of readability. Having a CV that is clear, concise and easy to read is always their best bet. 9. No cover letter when one is requested Not submitting a cover letter when one is required may suggest that they are lazy, don’t care about the opportunity or have poor attention to detail. These are all damaging to their application, so tell them not to  cut corners and be sure they submit a cover letter that will boost their application. 10. No social media presence It’s general practice now for you to look candidates up online before progressing them to the next stage. While they will want to ensure their personal social media accounts are private, a completed, professional LinkedIn profile will help their application. Why not tell them to include a link to their profile on their CV? This infographic by careerexperts.co.uk  shows you what percentage of recruiters were put off by the 10 areas discussed above. If they can keep these areas in check, they’ll be inundated with interview invitations in no time! About the author: Jennifer Tait is a Digital Marketer at Career Experts, a career site that exists to propel and support professionals on their path for career success.

A Quick Look At The Balance Resume And Cover Letter Writing Guide

A Quick Look At The Balance Resume And Cover Letter Writing GuideAlison Doyle: The Balance is the perfect solution for people who do not feel that they have enough time to complete resumes and cover letters on their own. The balance is not like the rest of the free sample applications that you will find on the Internet, as it is designed to take a lot of your time but not completely banish it.The Balance is so good because it lets you choose between two options - either you get paid money for completing a certain amount of work or you get paid a predetermined amount for completing a certain amount of work. In addition, the Balance is also completely user-friendly, as it allows you to create customization options for some fields. It also allows you to add in images or color.One of the best things about the Balance is that it is very easy to use. You simply need to follow a step by step process, which will walk you through the various steps of the application, from choosing the type of field you want to fill out to actually being paid for it. After which, you will be asked to rate your level of satisfaction.Time management is the number one priority of every employer, and you can rest assured that you are giving topmost priority to this task. As such, the Balance will give you a clear understanding of how much time you have to spend on all the other tasks that will be assigned to you. As for the field in which you want to fill out the information, you can choose between two options - self-explanatory and more detailed. The more detailed fields are used to determine how much time you will be given to work on other tasks.The Balance will also help you decide what you want to put on your resume. For example, you can choose to fill out a header for your resume. The information on the header will consist of your name, address, contact number, email, and employment details.The Balance also allows you to design the types of categories that you want to put on your resume . These include the following: education, professional experience, licenses and certifications, and so on.The Balance also contains an interface for employees to upload their own files. The files that are included in the Balance will provide you with all the files that you need to fill out your resume. However, be warned, if you do not like the file that the Balance provides you with, you can always change the file yourself using another application.The Balance also allows you to create your own work-in-progress version of your resume. This allows you to focus more on the content of your resume rather than on making changes. Therefore, this is the most beneficial feature of the Balance.

Perceived as OverqualifiedWhat Now - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Perceived as Overqualifiedâ€"What Now - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Some job seekers, especially those who’ve been in transition for an extended time, start undervaluing their worth, and as a result, they might begin applying for positions below the levels they had in past. The hiring authorities then ask the obvious: why would an applicant take a lesser job than previously held, and why should the employer risk the employee’s leaving once a better-paying job turns up? Furthermore, they’re asking whether they could meet the candidate’s salary requirements or other job expectations. There are no fast rules about being labeled overqualified. So-called overqualification is just the perception or interpretation of the hiring manager who questions one’s fit for the position. The remaining question is, how can a labeled candidate overcome a hiring manager’s concerns? If this issue comes up during an interview, here are some tactics. Preempt the issue by addressing it if you’re changing fields or you’ve decided to reduce your workload. Indicate up front that you’re flexible about compensation, and emphasize your unique value to the organization. State that your focus is long-term, emphasizing that you’re stable and not planning on changing jobs soon. Like many obstacles you’ll face in your job search, being overqualified is a problem only if you don’t take the opportunity to turn it around to your advantage! By carefully highlighting your skills and thinking strategically about ways to minimize the potential for problems, you’ll be able to turn this perceived liability into strength. Here are four simple steps you can take in an interview once it’s been hinted that you’re overqualified. Don’t take the statement emotionally. Recognize that the other party wants to discuss it. The worst that could happen is that the interviewer simply ignores it and automatically takes you out of the running. So you can say something like: “I can appreciate your concern, and I would like to address it for you.” Instead of your focusing on the negative, approach the subject from the positive side. Ask yourself what the interviewer’s intention was when saying you’re overqualified. Was it to indicate that you might want more money or perhaps that you’d quit once you find a better-paying job? For the sake of this example, let’s take the latterâ€"namely, that you’d move on for a better-paying position. So in this case you can ask the following: “I suspect you think that money is my main motivator and that I’d move on once a better offer comes along. Is that it?” Since the answer will likely be yes, you can now make your qualifying statement, such as: “If I could illustrate to you that in fact there are many other motivators that guide me and that money is not the most important one, might that influence your opinion?” When you get a positive response, you can proceed to the last step. At this stage, you should have a prepared story from your past that proves you’re motivated by other things such as teamwork, camaraderie, appreciation by the boss, or something else and should emphasize that in your world, money isn’t everything. The fact that you’re able to address such a difficult issue without becoming flustered, but instead, and turn the issue into a friendly exchange and build rapport will certainly be received in a positive way by the decision maker.

How to Celebrate Your Anniversary on a Budget

How to Celebrate Your Anniversary on a Budget Is your wedding anniversary coming up and you simply don’t have much money to spend? Although some outings can get pricey, others can be exciting and easy to afford. Here are a few ways to spend some quality time with your loved one without breaking the bank when you celebrate your anniversary. Tour an Art Gallery Does your spouse love art? If so, why not take them to an art gallery for your anniversary? Most art galleries are very affordable to visit, some are even free! After you visit the gallery, take a stroll in the park, or hop on a bus to a local beach. Grab a quick hot dog or other inexpensive street food on your way. Go Skating When was the last time you went skating with your spouse? If it’s been many years since the last time you’ve put on a pair of skates, why not do something nostalgic? Spend the night skating your heart out with your sweetheart! Go Fishing While this one is not for everyone, you might have a great time fishing with your husband or wife. Fishing is a great pastime that doesnt cost an arm and a leg to enjoy. All you need is a couple of fishing poles and some bait. Send the Kids to Grandma’s Can’t afford a babysitter? Why not send the kids to their grandparents house or to another relative for the weekend? Having time alone as a couple is what every relationship needs. Go to the grocery store and pick up an array of cheeses, charcuteries and ingredients for a chocolate fondue. Buy food items you normally couldn’t afford for the entire family.Spending quality time at home can be romantic and wont cost you a thing. Have Breakfast in Bed If you have older children who know their way around the kitchen, why not arrange to have them make you and your spouse breakfast in bed? Enjoy a meal and relax! Go to a Free Outdoor Movie Many cities offer free outdoor movies at local parks. This is a great way to spend some time with your husband or wife on your anniversary. To make this even a little more romantic, bring along your favorite wine and some strawberries dipped in chocolate. Exchange Love Letters When’s the last time you expressed how you truly value your spouse in a letter? Exchanging kind and loving words can strengthen your relationship. After enjoying a meal at home, plan to exchange love letters and spend some quality time together. Rent a Cabin for the Night While this may be the most expensive on the list, it can be worth every penny. Spending the night disconnected from modern distractions is a great way to put the spark back into your marriage. Make sure to bring along a good bottle of wine, some candles and maybe a card or board games. If you can’t find the money to book such an outing, a small online loan from a trustworthy source can pay for the trip temporarily. Pay the loan back in installments in order to avoid any negative impact on your monthly budget. If your anniversary is coming up, spending quality time with your spouse doesn’t need to be expensive. Each of these ideas is sure to bring happiness to your special day without breaking the bank.

How to Get Back in Shape with Exercise and Simple Eating

How to Get Back in Shape with Exercise and Simple Eating Everybody wants to look good and stay fit. A tedious lifestyle, laziness and a lack of will power often prevent us from having a body we would love. Everybody wants to look good and stay fit. A tedious lifestyle, laziness and a lack of will power often prevent us from having a body we would love. Often, it’s the law of inertia at work â€" we don’t want to get past our present state of motion. If you have always wanted to go to the gym to get fit and haven’t, you would know what I mean. It’s often the start that’s missing. It takes a lot of hard work, observing healthy habits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as far as eating, drinking and exercising is concerned. The right food and abstinence from habits like smoking, boozing and taking drugs can go a long way in making you look good. So, what does one do to look good and get back into shape? If you want to find out how to get backin shape  here’s a quick guide to help you out. Eat healthy food, have a balanced diet: Having a well-balanced diet goes a long way in making you look good and shaping your health. A lot depends on what you eat, when you eat and how you eat. Always remember include all the nutrients in your diet. Consuming a balanced diet comprising of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and roughage is important and very essential to look good and stay fit. Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking a lot of fluids and water is very important especially in hot and humid climatic conditions to stay hydrated and maintain the water content of the body. A fit body depends upon you water and liquid intake. You should never forget to carry a water bottle and lots of juices and liquid when you are travelling, moving out or going for a walk and exercise. Do Simple Exercises: If you have gained weight and want to shed some calories as soon as possible, the best thing to do is to invest some time and energy exercising. A good exercise is worth a thousand dollars spent on other things as it’s the best for your body, and it manifests itself just the way your body needs and demands depending upon your body type. It increases your blood flow, makes you sweat and also lose weight. You can always try light and simple exercises at home and even when you are out you can always prefer to walk rather than using your vehicle. Go in for cycling and jogging in the morning. It is the best way to look fit and stay in shape without resorting to any pills and medicines. Prepare a routine: Adhering to a good routine, maintaining a strict schedule for diet, exercise, sleep or getting up is quintessential for getting back in shape and looking good. Try these simple techniques and methods and you will really look fit and healthy. Just practise it regularly and soon you will be the cynosure of all eyes. If you’re still unsure about whether you can get back in shape, try the 21 Day Fix program â€" you’re sure to feel the difference.

Having a Blog in Job Search Anyone Can Learn To Do It, and Excel - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Having a Blog in Job Search Anyone Can Learn To Do It, and Excel How To Start and Host Your Blog

Let my people surf - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Let my people surf - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Im back from my 4-day trip to India where I spoke at the World HRD Congress in Mumbai (and did a really, REALLY good job). Ill be blogging about it soon. Meanwhile, My friend Lars Pind pointed me to this video of Yvon Chouinard talking about how he founded Patagonia and some of the unusual policies they have, including setting all employees free to surf whenever they want: Ive set the video above to start at my favorite place, but if you can, take an hour and watch the whole thing. Heres how Yvon summed it up in a previous interview: I?m a businessman, but I?m still going to do things on my own terms. I?m going to break a lot of rules, and we?re going to blur the distinction between work and play. So we have a policy here ? it?s called ?Let My People Go Surfing.? A policy which is, when the surf comes up, anybody can just go surfing. Any time of the day, you just take off and go surfing? That attitude changes your whole life. If your life is set up so that you can drop anything when the surf comes up, it changes the whole way you do your life. And it has changed this whole company here. Your take Are you free to plan your own time where you work? Or are you locked into working whenever it suits the workplace not you? What would it mean to you, if you were completely free to plan your own time? Related posts Three way to deal with off-days at work The Top 5 New Rules of Productivity How to Procrastinate Effectively Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Motivation Monday The Invitation - When I Grow Up

Motivation Monday The Invitation - When I Grow Up All of my Motivation Monday posts have been image-based, but when my client Sophie emailed me this poem, I knew it had to be included within this series. The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer It doesnt interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing. It doesnt interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love for your dream for the adventure of being alive. It doesnt interest me what planets are squaring your moon I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow if you have been opened by lifes betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain mine or your own without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful to be realistic to remember the limitations of being human. It doesnt interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure yours and mine and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, Yes. It doesnt interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesnt interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesnt interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments. You can read a preview of the book here. The other Motivation Monday installments can be found here.