The Jobs Market:
At the beginning of 2020, economic and political commentators said that the economy of the Republic of Ireland was at or close to full employment.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic sent shock waves through the world economy. 12% of the workforce in Ireland is forecasted to be unemployed by the end of 2020. The jobs market is set to become an employers’ market.
If you are between jobs, or you are a salaried person looking for a better job, you will need a curriculum vitae. Start with a clean slate. Create a CV that is worthy of your achievements and skillset. Aim to differentiate yourself from the competition.
Name & Contact Details:
I recommend you include the following personal details on your CV:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
There is no requirement to provide personal information such as your date of birth, marital status, or nationality on your CV.
Summary Profile:
Customise the summary profile section of your CV to highlight key skills and personal attributes that are pertinent to the job you are applying for. Your profile statement needs to describe you as a professional person. It needs to be punchy and succinct. Describe the type of work environment you thrive in. Ensure your key skills are in alignment with your achievements.
Employment History:
Outline your employment history in reverse chronological order. Starting with your current or most recent job, use active verbs and bullet points when describing your main achievements.
State your employers name, job title, and start & end dates.
If you are an experienced professional person who is considering applying for a senior management role, you will need to demonstrate a track record of achievement, and increased responsibility. Your people skills will be crucial to a successful job application. Highlight these skills in your achievements.
Education:
The information you provide in the education section will depend on your professional experience. If you are a chartered engineer of many years standing with a degree in civil engineering, there is no need to mention your secondary school education. Your work experience is more pertinent.
Job applicants with less than 5 years’ work experience would benefit from providing greater detail about their education. Employers may seek to employ young people with high potential and develop them into well rounded professionals.
Voluntary Roles, Interests & Hobbies:
If you are a young professional person, include any voluntary roles or interests you may have on your CV. It gives potential employers the impression you are a sociable and responsible individual.
Other points:
Your CV should be a maximum of 2 pages in length. Tailor your CV to the specific requirements of each job you apply for. There is no need to provide the names and contact details of referees on your CV. Employers will ask you for references when they offer you a job.
Conclusion:
If you are between jobs, or you would like to move to a better job, and you need help to write a winning CV, I would be happy to give you some advice based on my own experience. We live in uncertain times. The least we can do is support one another. My contact details are on this page. Any information you share will remain confidential.