Archive for July 2007

The perfect CV…

A CV is an essential career document needed to present yourself effectively to a potential employer.  

A good CV is one that clearly shows an employer how well suited you are to the position and greatly improves your chance of getting a face to face interview. There are no rights and wrongs when it comes to producing your CV and each document will be as individual as the person it belongs to. However there are some simple guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your CV conveys the necessary information clearly and concisely.  

Make sure yours: -  

  • Highlights relevant skills, abilities and qualifications  

  • Is easy to follow  

  • Clearly show why you are well suited for the job  

  • Shows that you have researched the role and the employer thoroughly.  

An employer will expect to find the following essential information: -  

  • Name, address, phone numbers and email address  

  • Education and qualifications. List brief details of qualifications along with grades attained.  

  • Include any relevant training courses and attainments.  

  • Relevant work experience. List the most recent experience first.  

Use short sentences in a straightforward, positive language. As well as describing the job, point out what qualities you gained such as ability to work under pressure or as part of a team.  

It is optional whether you include details of your interests away from the workplace but it can give the employer a clearer picture of your personal qualities. Include interests, activities and achievements that show desirable skills for this application. However don’t make the mistake of including a long list of hobbies to cover up a lack of work experience.  

It is usual to provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of which should be your current or most recent employer. If you do not want your current employer to be contacted before a certain point in the application process then include a short statement to this effect. Otherwise write ‘References on request.’  

Making sure that your CV is well presented and easy to follow is just as important as including all the essential information. Many people fail to appreciate the importance of good presentation. It is the first impression that a potential employer will have of you and could make the difference as to whether you get an interview or not.  

Follow these tips to create an impressive document:-  

  • Your CV should look clear and tidy. Use a good quality white paper and black ink. • • Use the same stationary for the covering letter.  

  • Keep it plain – don’t be tempted to use fancy fonts or boxes.  

  • Limit yourself to two sides of A4 paper.  

  • Make it easy to follow by being consistent with the use of headings, fonts and bold lettering. Ideally use a font size of 14 for the headings and no less than 12 for the text.  

  • Avoid solid blocks of text and leave plenty of white space so that it doesn’t look cluttered.  

  • Make sure that the sections are in a clear, easy to read sequence.  

  • Check that all the information is accurate and honest.  

  • Check your finished CV carefully for spelling, grammar and layout and use an envelope large enough to take your CV unfolded.  

If you have any employment gaps don’t just write ‘unemployed’ list experiences such as raising a family or travelling and list the relevant skills gained. Make sure that you have read the advertisement carefully and check that you have tailored you CV accordingly.  

Finally, get someone to check it over and comment on it. If it can be someone who knows something about the area that you are targeting then it will be an added bonus. Keep a working CV and update it regularly, tailoring it to meet the requirements of each application. Even if a CV is not required it can be useful to have an up to date copy to hand to transfer information to an application form.  

If your CV is smart and professional then it will stand out and will greatly improve your chances of getting an interview, and ultimately the job you want. 

Brits spend a total of £6.7 billion on wedding gifts each year, according to survey.

The average price of a present is £43, with 46 per cent of people saying they spend more on gifts than two years ago. As the average person attends 3.4 weddings a year, this equates to an annual bill of £146 per person.

The Scots are the most generous when it comes to wedding gifts, splashing out an average of £49.13. Northerners are the most stingy, spending an average of £40.79, according to the survey.

When the gift is for a close family member or best friend the amount spent rises to £70. However if the gift is for a fairly obscure acquaintance or colleague they can expect to receive a gift worth only £23.

Despite the amount of money flying around there is still room for jealously, with 17 per cent of people believing that they spend more on others than is spent on them.

Over 1,000 adults were interviewed in June 2007 by ICM. The survey was commissioned by Abbey.

The National Wedding Show

The National Wedding Show will be at Earls Court, London 28th to the 30th September 2007, and at the NEC Birmingham, 12th to the 14th October 2007.

Book your tickets in advance now at www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk and save money (£2 off the standard adult price). Tickets start at £10. Alternatively call 0870 730 0064.

Live web footage!

www.weddingstreams.co.uk broadcasts web footage of your wedding as it happens. Your wedding will be shared live online with any family and friends who couldn’t make it! Bit pricey though - prices start from £899.

Love is on the air!

Wedding FM offers you the chance to have your own radio show for the big day which is broadcast within 20 miles of your venue.

Wrexham Register Office

The staff at Wrexham Registry Office will assist you with all the Legal Preliminaries required in order for your wedding to proceed. It is your responsibility to ensure that all these preliminaries are completed and that you produce all the relevant documents before your wedding can take place. The Register Office address is: Wrexham Register Office, Ty Dewi Sant, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1NF. Tel: 01978 292027; fax: 01978 292676; email: registration @wrexham.gov.uk; website: www.wrexham.gov.uk (click on A-Z of services - registration). The office is open for appointments Monday to Thursday 9am until 5pm and Fridays 9am until 4.30pm.

Careers Wales North East link up with St Giles School

Careers Wales North East are working together with St Giles Infant School to provide careers information, advice and guidance for parents and guardians.  

With the support of the school, this FREE service will be provided within the schools premises and open to parents, guardians and friends in the local community.  

Call in on Thursday 5 July, 6.30pm – 8.30pm and meet careers advisor Linda Kinsey. Remember this help is FREE – you have nothing to lose! Alternatively you can contact Careers Wales North East on FREEPHONE 0800 919 520.  

 

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