Use an easy to read font & size

Layout – bold your job titles & section titles. Your CV should be separated into clear sections and easy to follow.

Use bullet points to be concise & clear

When writing your CV for a specific job application think, are the job titles relevant for the job you are applying for? Can the prospective employer see the relevant skills & qualities required in your CV? You can also combine your CV with a covering letter highlighting why your skills and experience make you right for the role!

Write a short personal statement which details your key professional attributes. This section can also outline your objective in your career and in the role you are applying for.

If you are posting your CV online – we need to be able to find you! Keywords are (think job titles, achievements & skills/qualifications) are often searched out to find suitable candidates initially. It is essential you include as many of these in your CV as possible.

If a prospective employer sees mistakes in your CV then it is highly likely your application will be negatively affected. Mistakes to avoid include:

Too long CV – keep it to 2 pages and remove unnecessary detail such as referees (not needed at this stage) & photographs

Spelling & grammatical errors – it is essential you proofread your CV!

Not including your contact details

Not putting your most recent experience at the top of your CV

Including salary on your CV

Writing your reasons for leaving your job/jobs

This can really bring your CV to life for an employer, it allows you to add extra context to your achievements.

Your DCG consultant will assist with your research prior to your interview. It is essential that you review the company’s website, industry news, their history & future plans. This will help you identify the key behaviours they look for and also help you ask intelligent questions. You can also research who will be interviewing you. Look at their LinkedIn profile & learn about their role in the business!

There is nothing worse than being late to an interview (who needs that stress just before!). You should aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview. DCG suggest you do a dummy run so you know exactly where to go on the day. When it comes to your attire – first impressions count! You can never over dress for an interview we also suggest you attend in full business attire. If you are unsure then it is a good idea to ask your DCG consultant.

It is likely your interviewer will question around the information in your CV. You need to know it like the back of your hand. Think about dates of employment, reasons for leaving, job responsibilities, career overview etc. Your interviewer will be looking to identify key skills & experiences, think about what these could be & prepare some answers & examples to demonstrate you have these & bring your CV to life. We suggest taking a copy of your CV with you but remember to keep eye contact!

Interview performance is generally dictated by:

1) How you answer the questions put to you

2) How you present yourself & demonstrate your research/enthusiasm

To assist with point 1, why not read up on the STAR technique. The STAR technique offers a structured way to answer behavioural based questions using the following format:

S – Situation (Describe the specific event or situation that you were in)

T – Task (What goal were you working toward?)

A – Action (Describe the actions you took to address the situation with an appropriate amount of detail and keep the focus on YOU)

R – Result (Describe the outcome of your actions and don’t be shy about taking credit for your behaviour)

To assist with point 2 talk confidently & maintain eye contact. Don’t be scared to show enthusiasm for the company & role. This will demonstrate that you have researched the business & opportunity! this section

Introductions are important, be sure to use a firm handshake, warm introduction & make eye contact. Keep open body language during your interview, don’t slouch or fold your arms. Also be aware of the tone of your voice, if the role involves energy/passion – show some!

Try and make your interview more of a conversation than a question and answers session. The best way to do this is to demonstrate your interest/enthusiasm for the role by asking the interviewers questions. Remember you don’t need to wait till the end of the interview to do this, asking as you go is an excellent technique! You could ask something like:

What do you see as the key challenges of this role?

What are the organisation’s major business objectives in the coming year?

We at DCG believe that how you close your interviewge impact on feedback or getting to the next stage. You should close the interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the opportunity & gain commitment regarding the next steps. The close can be soft e.g. do you feel I have the right skills for the job? Or firm e.g. I believe I am right for the role when is the date for the second stage? Many candidates avoid this and doing so can help you stand out & address any concerns/objections there and then with another example.