January, time to take down the decorations, hit the gym and put those New Year’s Resolutions into action – a new year, a fresh start, a new career?
Andy Ridout, rail expert and managing director of railway recruitment agency advance-TRS has given us an insight into what employers are really looking for.
The New Year is always a busy time for us and with an estimated two fifths of UK workers due to embark on the hunt for a new job this month, 2013 is no exception. With so much of the work force suffering from the ‘back to work blues’ and inspired by the idea of ‘a new year, a new career’ how can you make yourself stand out in the crowd?
Get your CV in shape
Over the course of my 16-year career, I have read hundreds of thousands of CVs and can safely say that employers have too, this is why it is so important to present yours correctly.
Presentation
As railway recruiters, we are looking for CVs that reflect professionalism, to achieve this presentation is key.
A good CV should begin by listing your educational attainment, a brief personal synopsis followed by your most recent, relevant jobs with dates of employment. Underneath each job include a short summary of your responsibilities and duties, highlighting your strengths and achievements. Make it to the point and relevant to ensure we can quickly access your best features and match you to a role as accurately as possible.
It can be very easy to get carried away with fancy fonts and italics, but in my experience this rarely looks professional.
I would strongly recommend that text is kept to a standard size 11, Calibri font.
Read the job description
Unfortunately all too often we receive CVs from candidates who have not read a job description correctly, this is a pet hate for employers. So, before you apply for a specific role please check you have all the necessary qualifications and experience. If you don’t we will not be able to send your CV to our client.
Make your CV role specific
Once you have established that you meet the job requirements make sure your profile is tailored accordingly. It can be tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV but unlikely you’ll display your abilities to their full capacity or get the intended response.
Do your research, know the company and re-word your CV to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.
Go niche
I have made a successful recruitment career from understanding the specifics and technicalities of the rail industry.
At advance-TRS we only deal with railway jobs, making us the first point of call for candidates who require a recruitment team who understands industry terminology and has solid relationships with the top employers in their field.
The interview
Once advance-TRS have secured you an interview we will do everything we can to help you successfully through the process.
Interviewers are looking for people who will fit in with their company’s current employees as well as the professional image and reputation they wish to portray. It is essential that your clothes, body language and conduct reflect this since first impressions definitely last.
No matter what your seniority, it is a good idea to stage the interview with a friend or family member the night before. This will give you the opportunity to practice being put on the spot and allow you to prepare your answers to any tricky questions, undoubtedly boosting your confidence during the actual scenario.
Finally, please remember our service is free! We only charge our clients when the job is complete and a successful outcome is secured.
If you’re considering a career move or simply want advice you can contact myself or a member of my team at advance-TRS on 01483 361 061 or for more detailed tips on how to market yourself keep an eye out for our new website advance-trs.com, coming soon.
