Managerial & Consultancy | Jobs Classifieds

As you progress through a consulting or managerial career you will almost invariably move between a number of positions. It can sometimes be a difficult task, finding that next job and, more importantly, preparing for the interview process that leads to it. So how can you make this process easier? The following paragraphs should help to create a compelling CV putting you one step ahead of the competition helping you attain your next position.

Importance of the CV
Your CV will be your primary personal marketing campaign and your first contact point with your potential employer. Many people only see their CV as a list of skills and employment history; this oversight is one which gives you an edge. Writing a CV that will stand out from the rest does however take time and planning.

Many employers will only spend a short time looking at CV's; it doesn't take long to scan over a couple of pages of A4. A badly written CV could be discarded without consideration, so, like a good book, you need to keep the reader interested. This way you give yourself the best chance of getting all of your content across. The first few paragraphs therefore become of paramount importance. And it's not just content that needs to be considered, style will also be a key factor. Whether you decide to opt for functional or chronological styles, you need to ensure that your CV is easy to read.

Showcase your skills
Employers will look for specific characteristics when recruiting for managerial or consulting roles. Typically interpersonal skills and analytical ability will be high on the list. When previous project experience is being listed ensure that there is a clear link between these past achievements and the attributes required for the job in question. It saves the need for the recruiter to read between the lines and will highlight your writing skills. It is also important to mention the technologies that you have experience in, and how they have been used in your previous positions.

Basic rules to follow
There are a number of basic ground rules that should be adhered to when creating your CV. The content should be typed and printed on clean, white paper unless otherwise stated. You should also stick to a font that is easy to read, Arial or Times New Roman are widely recognised as acceptable fonts to use. It may seem obvious but check and double check for spelling or grammatical mistakes, no matter what position you may be applying for it would be careless to submit a CV which has not been proof read. When listing accolades or skills try to use bullets where possible, paragraphs can sometimes be difficult to read and may interrupt the flow of the document. Content length should also be considered, no employer will want to sit through page after page of irrelevant information. If it's not applicable to the position applied for then omit it. Try to keep content to between one and a half to two pages in length.

CV Format
You will generally find that there are three natural formats to use when creating your CV; functional, chronological or a mixture of the two.

The most popular, and for good reason, is the chronological format. Employment history is listed in reverse order and is generally preferred by employers providing easy to read information plotting out an individuals most recent positions and achievements. It also makes it glaringly obvious if the applicant has had gaps in their employment or jumped from job to job. This information can sometimes prove to be a deciding factor for many employers.

The functional layout, where your achievements and experience are broken down into specific areas, should only be used if you are not experienced in the area you are applying for. If, for example, you are applying for a role as a recruitment consultant, it will be pointless trying to fill up your CV with a list of jobs that have nothing to do with recruitment. This functional style will give you an alternative way of promoting yourself as it will allow you to focus on your interests, which led you to apply for the job. You can also concentrate on particular projects within previous roles which required skills and knowledge relevant to the applied position.

The Cover Letter
Your cover letter is an essential accompaniment to any CV when applying for a new role and will often follow a three stage layout. The first section will detail where you have seen the job advertisement, contain a few basic details about yourself and a few reasons why you are interested in the position. The second section can then be used to sell yourself, mention a few key reasons why you may be the best candidate for the job. Back this information up with some major achievements or qualifications that make you seem an irresistible opportunity. In your closing statement reiterate why you would like to join the company and what you feel you can bring to the position.

Following some of the advice above you should be well on your way to creating a well written and memorable CV helping you to move towards your next managerial or consulting role. Remember, the primary objective of the CV is to get your foot in the door and get that interview, and then it's over to you to impress on the day!