WRITING YOUR CV AND COVER LETTER

The Curriculum Vitae or commonly known as a CV is a personal advertisement which promotes your suitability for a job application ahead of other applicants. A CV's primary focus should be on positive information and exclude all and anything negative. A cover letter is an important support document for a good CV. Your CV should be concise and short, and have a formal structure containing all the information an employer wants to have a look at. Finally, your CV should be checked carefully to make sure it is free of error.

CV writing tips for your CV and cover letter.

The Cover Letter: Write a short on one page attractive cover letter that makes your prospective employer want to read your CV. You can repeat the information in your CV for emphasis but not too much.
In the cover letter, the first paragraph should be your introduction, tell them why you are the right person for the job, the middle paragraphs should describe what you have to offer, and the final paragraph may inform them how you will follow up your application.

Keep your CV short: In general, your CV should not be longer than two pages. Always keep in mind that jobs typically attract many applicants whose CV is short and employers want to see CVs that are short and to the point. Make every word count to have the finest chance of attracting the reader's interest.

5 TOP JOB INTERVIEW TIPS

If you're counting down the days till your next job interview, these helpful tips will help you get in the right mood so you can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers. 

1. Do your research

You are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you've done your homework on things like their last year's profits and latest product launches. Also take a look at the latest developments in the industry so you can converse with confidence.

2. Practice your answers

Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the most common interview questions about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the job. 

3. Stay calm

Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays, and get everything you need to take with you ready the night before.