READ THIS for Interviews, CV help, Jobsites, Cover Letters and more...

Farls

Ok this is a thread that contains all the previous stickies that were takin up half the page.

Hopefully these five steps will get you on your way to your first million!

1. First of all to get a job you have to create your CV...

The CV

The CV Template

2. You may then want to find companies hiring to send your CV too...

Jobsites on-line

3. Enclosed with your CV should be a cover letter which should be job specific...

Cover Letters

4. If your CV and Cover Letter work then you'll get an Interview...

Interview Article

Interview Preperation

Interview hints/tips

5. Succesful applicants may have to move location...

Moving to England/Abroad



N So your in the job and want to leave due to various reasons...

Wanna Resign? read on...

10 questions for the interview

WhiteWashMan

sorted.

thanks Farls.

Spacedog

the link to "Moving to England/Abroad" is pointing to the CV template post guess I'll cancel the flight

genie

Could someone fix this please, I'd very much like to read it as am moving to the UK this year. Thanks!

Farls

With it being a stickie i'm not able to fix it but i pm'd WWM last week about it so can't do anymore

Farlz

genie

Thanks for that!

Victor

Personal and organisational development http://www.businessballs.com/

steveland?

Cheers, that CV template is a lifesaver

Boards to the rescue once again

WhiteWashMan

Farls wrote:

With it being a stickie i'm not able to fix it but i pm'd WWM last week about it so can't do anymore

Farlz

you should be able to edit your own posts you lazy dog....

and i dont recall any PM's about mixed up links. i'll look into it tomorrow when i have some time.

Farls

Haha, nope wasn't being lazy for some reason i can't edit it (no edit button) must be when i didn't make it a sticky myself. PM was sent though

Farlz

//edit

I can however edit this message so here is a link to the thread requested Moving to England/Abroad

Victor

WWM, users can't edit their posts after AFAIK 48 hours.

damnyanks

www.doctorjob.com
www.milkround.com

Both good sites if you are seeking a placement as part of your course. Some jobs listed also provide summer work.

drdre

guys just to tell u this thread is very helpful and thanks to all that participated in making it useful:)

Piste

When gsubmitting a CV does one only include information relevant to the job they are looking for, or any work/education no matter how obscure?

CV Specialist

It's best to include only those areas of your work experience and abilities that directly pertain to the kind of work that you are seeking. This article on CV writing might help you with the process.

Latent Curehead

If you sit in an interview room, you will see just how generic the applicants become. All the men wear navy suits, white shirts and red ties; all the woment wear black or navy suits with large-collared white shirts. And, after a very little while, they all sort of blend into one another and no-one really stands out anymore.

The same holds true, 10 times over, for CVs. DO NOT USE TEMPLATES! By all means, grab one and tweak it for your personal use, but the last thing you need is to be seen as not taking the selection process seriously.

Craft your CV, nourish your CV, LOVE your CV. It has to do a very difficult job. It has to stand out from a tall pile of CVs from similarly-qualified and similarly-experienced people and make a tired, stressed, harrassed interviewer want to meet you. A templated document ... might do that. More likely, it will be perceived as junk mail and treated accordingly.

Are there certain things that should appear on your CV? certainly. Are there certain things that should be ommitted? Definitely! Can a one-size-fits-all document accomplish that for every one of your applications? No. You must tailor your approach, for your CV, for your cover letter, for an accompanying email; every time.

If you are going to use a template as a starting point, make sure you overwrite the document when you save it for the first time and make absolutely sure that you change the properties of the document to reflect you as author of the CV. The safest thing to do with your CV is to save the final version of it as a PDF file (you can usually do this under the Print menu), so that no-one can access the original file anyway.

Just my 2 cents ...

BirthdayGirl

Have you ever done a phone interview? What type of questions do they ask? is it detailed answers they are looking for? Are they testing your ability to converse on the phone or your technical knowledge? Or both?
Thanks!

AARRRGH

As I've mentioned a few times before in this forum, I work in recruitment.

If you want your job application to stand out from the crowd you only need to be aware of three basic things -

1. Use proper grammar.
2. Check your spelling.
3. Don't write in text speak.

You don't even have to format your cover letter properly (although of course you should make the effort to do this.)

JUST WRITE IN PROPER ENGLISH.

You would not believe me if I told you what percentage of people write their cover letter using horrendous English or in text speak. You are dramatically reducing your chance of being called to an interview if you cannot bother to follow at least check you are writing in "proper English".

Really, I would say only 5% of job applications are written without spelling/grammar mistakes or text speak. Maybe 1% actually go to the effort of writing a proper cover letter.

It's disturbing!

WhiteWashMan

BirthdayGirl wrote:

Have you ever done a phone interview? What type of questions do they ask? is it detailed answers they are looking for? Are they testing your ability to converse on the phone or your technical knowledge? Or both?
Thanks!

same answer as a regular interview.
it depends.

ive done one recently, and i was asked both technical and situation questions, as well as a role play.

they are testing your ability to communicate as well as everything else.

fade2black

For freelancers there's a handy invoice template here

All that's needed is the changing of £ to €

Linoge

dublindude wrote:

Really, I would say only 5% of job applications are written without spelling/grammar mistakes or text speak. Maybe 1% actually go to the effort of writing a proper cover letter.

It's disturbing!

Are you serious?? What jobs do you interview for?

lostexpectation

heres anther place to look for jobs, I see jobs that aren't advertised elsewhere I think, or maybe your eye will fall if a job here that didn't eslewhere

http://www.dit.ie/DIT/careers/graduatejobscene/vacancies/280906.htm

http://www.dit.ie/DIT/careers/graduatejobscene/vacancies/

there must be one for each college

http://www.dcu.ie/students/careers/jobs/vacancies.php?function=2&id=1161786687


http://www.dbrecruitment.ie
http://www.1-800people.com

DON_08

I just wanted to post some advice to any final year students currently applying for jobs. Have just had a large number of CVs in for a trainee financial position and am shocked by some of them.

1. Double and triple check spelling and punctuation.
2. For a graduate job, please put your leaving cert subjects and grades on the CV. Stating you got 550 points is not helpful.
3. Please include a covering letter or email - just emailing a CV with nothing else is just going to get deleted.
4 In a covering letter and CV make sure it is addressed the correct person and company! And that you know exactly what the position you are applying for is.
5. Please don't apply for a job that has minimum requirements if you do not fill them.

Ok - rant over - will get back to sorting through the applications!

im...LOST

I found a great CV template here.

http://www.lifeclever.com/give-your-resume-a-face-lift/

I can see myself using it in my future job hunts.

snickerpuss

DON_08 wrote: »

2. For a graduate job, please put your leaving cert subjects and grades on the CV. Stating you got 550 points is not helpful.

I'm applying for my first proper job soon. An absolute dream job has come up and I'm sorting out my CV and trying to write a proper cover letter. I am a post grad and my degree and masters relate directly to the job. I don't know how much detail to go into with regards to my Leaving Cert results (decent but not massively exciting) Should I say Honours in.... Or give actual grades for all 7?

Smilin'Eyes

snickerpuss wrote: »

I'm applying for my first proper job soon. An absolute dream job has come up and I'm sorting out my CV and trying to write a proper cover letter. I am a post grad and my degree and masters relate directly to the job. I don't know how much detail to go into with regards to my Leaving Cert results (decent but not massively exciting) Should I say Honours in.... Or give actual grades for all 7?

I'd say it depends on how relevant the leaving cert is to the job. I work in recruitment, and a lot of the time, the Leaving Cert is completely irrelevant, especially if you have attained higher education. I would recommend that you include the subjects and results only if they will benefit the position you are applying for (ie you must have some education in french but that wasnt part of your college studies etc.) otherwise, I'd advise that you include the school, the dates and final results - e.g. 7 honours etc. hope this helps and the dream job works out!

smackbunnybaby

Possibly a silly question to some!

But I am writing my CV and I wanted to know the exact way of writing down by college result

A bachelor of science degree 2.1 in my subject.

I have looked at examples and nearly all of them go about it in a different.

BSC.
B.Sc
B.SC (Hons)

It is confusing me !
anyone know the correct terminologies! It's a small one but the divil is in the detail!!

Capt'n Midnight

Remember going through this yonks ago in the end I used what was written on my actual degree itself. YMMV

BSc(Honours)

Rowley Birkin QC

Anyone here willing to look over my CV for me?

It would be greatly appreciated, just not in any monetary sense:o.

Dandelion6

Would Irish employers be familiar with the Grade Point Average system used in many other countries? Do I have to explain on my CV that the GPA I earned on a foreign degree is out of a maximum 4.0 average or is this something they'd be familiar enough with?

Senna

Just some advice for anyone applying for service industry or menial job.

1. Dont fill your CV with all the other qualifications and experience you have that are in no way relevant to the job your applying for. If you do have any relevant experience (any at all), make that stand out. The employer doesn't care what your last job was if its not relevant, so dont go into detail.
2. If your only putting a mobile number down, make sure you keep the phone with you at all times, not just 9-5 monday to friday, chances are these employers work unsociable hours and so might phone in the evening. If you dont answer, they just move onto the next CV in front of them.

Its basic stuff, but you'd be surprised how many dont get a job because of these 2 points.

lisajane

Ok im looking for a career change. And i have a couple of questions regarding my cv.

Considering i dont have alot of experience in what i want to do, does it matter in what i order i put the work history and educational details?

Can i mention that i do voluntary work under the work history or do i put it under a separate heading? The voluntary work is kind off relevant. Im looking for a trainee veterinary nurse position and i do a couple of hours a week at a dog shelter.

Should i include a personal statement or career objective? I know i should have it in my cover letter but what if the practice loses the cover letter, at least then it would be fairly clear to what im looking for.

Should i include my leaving cert results? I read that employers dont really care on how you got on with exams you did 8 years ago, but im applying for a trainee position, should i put more emphasis on educational details?

Sorry for all the questions but i don't know where to ask.

miec

Hi for anyone interested in a career within the arts field, jobs are listed quite regularely at http://www.creativecareers.ie/

BlackEdelweiss

In my Hobbies and Interests section I have included the following line:" I enjoy reading history books, mainly WW2 and have a small collection of WW2 memorabilia which I hope to increase over the years."
My wife thinks this is a terrible idea as she believes many people would not appreciate an interest in WW2 as a good thing and would throw my application away thinking I was some kind of weirdo. I however think it is something I am interested in and that most people would not think anything about this being included in my C.V., it may even attract the attention of an employer with a similar interest. What does anybody else think, keep it in or get rid of it?

HH Chick

Ok need help in adjusting my CV to suit the job...... I really want this job, on the verge of walking out of my current job due to a wa*ker of a boss!!!

The job critera is:
Duties to include general office administration and customer service, providing bills for customers, monthly balance etc. Previous office experience essential. Applicants must be reliable and able to work on own initiative. Knowledge of accounts and excellent computer skills essential.

seems fab, Eh!!!

Ok now my CV, Is there too much going on or not enough going on, should things be phrased differently????

In my current position my duties involve the daily running and up keep of the XXXX Office I am responsible for the overall telemarketing of the Clinic. In addition, I set up and verify all appointments made for my branch, also, liaising with local gp’s, cleaning data on Navision, Stock control, lodging the daily cash float’s to the bank, compiling various reports of which include branch income, case history, no show and cancellations, repairs and dsm’s, incoming and out going stock. As I am the soul person in this clinic besides the XXX consultant, time management and multitasking are very important to the smooth running of this clinic

Boardies all help Appreciated, Thanks in advance ;);)

InvisibleBadger

Hi everyone, I'm a mature student making a new cv for university work placements/summer jobs at the moment and I have a problem with references.
I haven't had a proper job in 1.5 years and am wondering whats the etiquette with references. Should i use my last employer who more than likely barely remembers me (factory job)? Other than that I don't have any professional contacts. Any thoughts welcome.

KarlDrake

Came across this today which may be of interest.
http://tinyurl.com/33brhe9

However, perhaps using an English based CV expert on Irish Jobs might be a bit off? There are plenty of Irish based CV experts!

Amandapanda801

You didn't include "What happens when you have to pass one of those psychometric tests"... I had to do that once, never saw it coming and apparently I didn't do so hot.

P_1

How do you express if you have your final degree results but you have yet to graduate, i.e. have not had the graduation ceremony?

Should I phrase it as 2.1 grade expected or 2.1 grade awarded?

I have received an official document from my university stating that I have achieved a 2.1 grade, the graduation ceremony doesn't take place till December.

Thanks

Amandapanda801

pithater1 wrote: »

How do you express if you have your final degree results but you have yet to graduate, i.e. have not had the graduation ceremony?

Should I phrase it as 2.1 grade expected or 2.1 grade awarded?

I have received an official document from my university stating that I have achieved a 2.1 grade, the graduation ceremony doesn't take place till December.

Thanks

Well yea you just say you completed your university with a 2.1 grade point average and you will be officially graduating in december... Just say it as it is.

runswithascript

OP your links for Cover Letter and Interview Article are the same, both leading to Cover Letter.

I've an interview tomorrow and would appreciate if you could correct it before then.

Piste

What's the general rule regarding college exam results? I'd obviously include them when looking for work relevant to the degree I'm doing, but as I'm going to be looking for a part-time job this semester- most likely in a shop somewhere- it doesn't seem particularly relevant. Should I include them or not? As it is I just have JC and LC results on it.

Mr. Loverman

LA3G wrote: »

OP your links for Cover Letter and Interview Article are the same, both leading to Cover Letter.

I've an interview tomorrow and would appreciate if you could correct it before then.

Here's one for CVs:

http://www.dole.ie/cv-advice/

One for cover letters:

http://www.dole.ie/cover-letter-advice/

And one for interviews:

http://www.dole.ie/interview-advice/

Ponster

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Here's one for CVs:

http://www.dole.ie/cv-advice/

The link to the CV Template on that page seems to be broken.



http://www.acme.ie/acme-cv-template.doc

Yamo2004

Sli Nua Careers in Galway offer free CV critiques - it's free, no catches. If you go here you will get the details - http://bit.ly/aqgAIy:D

Handsome Bob

Apologies for the bump but I just have a question in regards to CVs, I'm using a template that has the room for the cover letter within the CV. I always tailor the cover letter specific to the job I'm applying for but I'm wondering is it bad to have the cover letter within the CV? Should I separate them out?

Farls

Handsome Bob wrote: »

Apologies for the bump but I just have a question in regards to CVs, I'm using a template that has the room for the cover letter within the CV. I always tailor the cover letter specific to the job I'm applying for but I'm wondering is it bad to have the cover letter within the CV? Should I separate them out?

I've only ever seen them separate, the closest thing I would guess to a cover letter on a CV is your opening mission statement. ie. 'I am looking for a senior position as a xyz with the possiblity of abc' type thing.

starlit

CV and Cover Letter are separate documents usually. Its more professional and be easier to read.

Mr. Loverman

I use the e-mail as the cover letter, and the CV as an attachment. Never had a problem with this.

This is also how most job websites send your job applications to people.