HR, Leadership, Management, Careers, Interviews, CVs and more! from Consulting Excellence

Plugging the gaps in your CV

2011-11-09T15:31:00.003Z

Having gaps in your CV is not unusual, particularly in the current climate. Many people have fallen victim to redundancy and are struggling to find a job. Others who have spent time working in the home are being forced to seek employment to make up the shortfall in family finances brought about by higher taxes, levies and reduced salaries for their partners.

Regardless of why you have gaps in your CV, finding some way of minimising them and distracting the reader is important.

The first thing you should be aware of is that employers don’t necessarily avoid hiring someone because they have gaps but unexplained gaps do raise warning bells and would leave any employer wondering what they might be letting themselves in for!

So here are some does and don’ts to help you address the issue:

DON’T

Lie outright – telling lies on your CV is never a good idea, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t fudge the truth a little or put a positive spin on something
Make it impossible for the company to hire you by telling them something that will be an absolute no-no
Apologise – give a brief explanation for the gap where necessary and nothing more, you should always project a positive image
Just leave big gaps – I can tell you from experience that it raises to many questions and concerns (around issues like instability, criminality, laziness etc)
Use formatting such as bold, italics to highlight dates

Assess how serious the gaps are
Where possible massage the timeframe by using years rather than months (e.g. giving employment dates as 2001-2010 rather than Jun 2001 – Mar 2010)
Be clear about what you were doing during the gap
Focus on what you gained from the time and how it might benefit the company (e.g. skills learned, experience of diversity etc)
Use a Profile Summary, Key Skills and perhaps even Key Achievements on page 1 to draw the reader’s attention to what you have to offer before they get to the dates (Page 1 – and generally the first 2/3 of the page are most important in a CV so make sure this presents the most positive information)
Use headings such as Most Relevant Work Experience to allow you to highlight those roles that are most relevant – this way you can omit some jobs altogether particularly those 15+ years ago
Other Experience – use this heading to draw out other relevant information such as volunteering, unpaid work etc on your CV
Use your Cover Letter to explain anything that is difficult to cover in your CV – e.g. time off to look after a sick parent
Keep busy with things that will be useful to your CV – try to learn new skills, stay up to date with your profession, network, volunteer etc as this will help you to minimise the gaps and will give you something extra to offer the employer

For related material, articles, services and jobs for which we are recruiting go to http://www.consultingexcellence.ie/main/page_individuals_onetoone.html

10 Top Tips for a successful job search

2011-11-09T15:21:00.000Z

This article was first published in Sunday Business Post, November 6th 2011

So you are out of a job and the constant search is getting you nowhere. You are not alone. The widespread redundancies and general economic downturn has left lots of people in that position. That means a tighter job market for everyone, so perhaps it is time to take a more strategic approach to your job search.

1. Stop! Take Stock

Often when people are looking for a new job, they don’t take the time out to take stock of where they are and what they want. Reflect on the job you have done, what worked and what didn’t.

Consider:

Your strengths, weaknesses and key skills
What you like to do and don’t like to do
What do you value most e.g. recognition, autonomy, responsibility, pay and so on
Are there opportunities that would fulfill your needs and plays to your strengths

2. Research

Now do some research - figure out what is achievable and how you might get there. Identify your best options so you can focus on those.

3. Create a Plan

Your job search needs a plan. Having one will keep you focused on your end goal (of getting a job) and will help you to maintain structure at a time when it is easy to become de-motivated and despondent.

4. Work your Network

Failing to “work” your network is an opportunity lost. Identify all your different networks (ex-work colleagues, college friends, golf buddies, etc) and start systematically working your way through them ensuring that everyone knows what you are looking for and what you have to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

5. Get your CV in order

It is too late to start thinking about your CV when you spot your dream job. Create a core CV and Cover Letter that can be tailored to individual jobs as they come up.

6. Build your Personal Brand

The internet is a regular source of “background checking”. Start a blog and write about things that will set you apart from the competition (in a good way). Use LinkedIn. Be aware that what you say and do may be viewed by an employer so clean up your online image.

7. Be focused

Job search is about quality not quantity. Applying for a hundred jobs for which you are unsuited or don’t actually want is not in your best interests. Focusing on those that you really want and the companies that you want to work for is far more likely to produce results. And you won’t have that awful feeling of having applied for tons of jobs and having no success.

8. Get creative

Not all jobs are advertised so get creative in finding out where there are jobs. Look at announcements in the paper that may suggest an opportunity. Offer to work on a trial basis to demonstrate your worth. Create your own webpage with a video CV. Do what others aren’t!

9. Be prepared

Don’t leave it until you are called for interview to start preparing. Think about your key achievements and strengths and examples that will demonstrate those to a potential employer. Research typical questions and consider your answers. Get help.

10. Keep mind and body healthy

Job searching requires a clear mind, good focus, a positive approach and lots of energy. Ensure you have a good diet and exercise. Maintain structure and have downtime. Even if money is tight, get out and meet with friends. Do something that makes you feel good. If you start to lose faith, take a step back, think of all those things that are good in your life and most of all, smile!

For related material, articles, services and jobs for which we are recruiting go to http://www.consultingexcellence.ie/main/page_individuals_onetoone.html

What’s in a question? – Avoiding discrimination in recruitment

2011-09-16T11:43:00.000+01:00

Most of you will probably know that there are nine grounds on which you can’t discriminate against people. There are two pieces of legislation which set this out: the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2008 and the Equal Status Acts 2000-2008 which between them outlaw discrimination in employment, vocational training, advertising, collective agreements, the provision of goods and services (including professional or trade services; health services; access to accommodation and education; facilities for banking, transport and cultural activities). Some of you will know all of those grounds and more will know at least a few.

Most of you will know that you shouldn’t discriminate against people in the workplace. But how many of you are aware that job interviews and other elements of the recruitment process are also covered.

And what does that mean in reality?

Well take the situation where during the “chat” bit of an interview you ask the candidate…“So did you have any difficulty getting here this early?”

Not a problem on the face of it. But say the person said no and you followed with “No children to get out to school then?” Or imagine asking “What did you do at the weekend?” and as a follow up you said “so you are young, free and single?”

This sounds pretty harmless, doesn’t it? And what if you asked “Are you married?” or “Do you have any children?” in this same conversation. Do you think that might be viewed as discriminatory?

The short answer is “Yes, absolutely”.

The problem is this – it doesn’t really matter what your intention was in asking the question, or that you didn’t use the information in a negative way, the fact that you asked the question is likely to be seen to be discriminatory in intent at an Equality Tribunal. Once that is established it is your job to defend your position.

And here’s the thing…it is almost impossible to defend yourself as an employer in that situation.

So here are some tips to help you avoid / manage such a situation:

Make sure that your Job Description and Advertisement (even if this is a Tweet) is free from any discriminatory language or inferred discrimination – for example don’t say “we are seeking a young, dynamic….” You even need to be careful about the qualifications and length of experience required as it may be seen as age discrimination – so think long and hard about what is really required to do the job
When you are shortlisting candidates don’t take into account things like age – it is advisable to have a clear set of criteria and to mark applications against that criteria
At interview don’t ask any question that isn’t relevant. So for example you could in some instances ask a person about their ability to travel if this was a key requirement of the role
If you really need to ask this type of question ensure you ask it of everyone: male, female, married, single, old, young etc.
Don’t ever ask about marital status, children, age etc (the nine grounds to be aware of are: Gender, Marital / Civil Status, Family Status, Sexual Orientation, Age, Disability, Race (Ethnicity), Religion or Membership of the Traveller Community)
You should also have clear criteria for each interview stage – mark candidates against that and only that. The more specific this is the easier it is to defend!
Keep records of interview notes and marking sheets
If you do end up facing a claim you will be asked to respond in writing to the Equality Tribunal – this document will play a key role in the decision so avoid incriminating yourself. It is the claimant’s job to establish a case in the first instance so avoid doing the job for them!
And if you do need to appear before a Tribunal seek advice quickly to ensure you have a defense (with all the necessary documentation, witnesses etc) in place as early as possible
Remember that the penalties are significant: for someone who is not your employee (i.e. a candidate who feels they lost out because of discrimination) you can be required to pay compensation of up to €12,697 if the complaint is upheld – an expensive “chat” I think you’ll agree!!

So the moral of the story is this: make sure you have good policies and practices in place around recruitment (and your whole employment relationship), follow those policies and practices properly, be aware of what you are asking and why, and if you do get yourself into trouble seek help early.

If you have any questions on anything raised here feel free to contact me – I am always happy to help.

And if you want some interesting reading this recent case regarding a dismissal on the basis of incapacity is well worth a read http://bit.ly/nBkKba

Middle Child at Work?

2010-08-20T14:58:00.000+01:00

This article (by Jackie Prendergast) was first published by on www.bloggertone.com on July 15th, 2010.

Some weeks ago I happened to be watching a programme on TV3 when an item came up the really piqued my interest. Strangely I rarely watch TV3 and watch morning TV even less, so perhaps this was providence!!

The item in question was about families, and more specifically birth order in families.

Alfred Adler first developed this theory – suggesting that birth order impacted on personality and thus behaviour. Importantly though Adler wasn’t saying definitely that where you were born in the family is necessarily the decider but rather the position you fulfil(led) within the family. Many others have developed the notion further and equally there have been critics who disputed its relevance. I have no doubt that this is something you have heard about before, even if on a sub-conscious level. You may even have referred to others as “a typical first born” or “typical youngest child”.

It really made me think because here’s the thing - I am a middle child. But I am also a youngest and oldest. Why? Well for the first 10 years of my life I was the baby of the family – I have two older brothers who still treat me, to some extent, like the youngest.

Then another two siblings came along making me the middle child. Within 6 or 7 years my older brothers had left home and I became, de facto, the oldest. To a large extent this is a role I still fulfil within our family. So how do I compare to the general theory?

First Born – They tend to be more educated and have a higher IQ than their siblings (in fact there is a suggestion that IQ decreases exponentially with each sibling.) They are often given or assume responsibility for younger siblings and essentially can often act as the surrogate parent. They are often over-achievers, striving to meet their parent’s expectations and always being required to set a good example. As a result of this position of leadership and power they are often bossy – think an autocratic management style. They get more attention from their parents, building confidence. They are often “tutors”, sharing learning. They can be very responsible and willing to help out others.

Second Born – Typically they are very independent and competitive particularly with the older sibling and sibling rivalry often develops in an effort to assert their position. Constantly strive for equal treatment and can feel aggrieved where they perceive this hasn’t happened. They may sometimes be seen as a rebel for trying to redress the balance. They can be quite expressive and creative.

Middle Child – Also independent but tend to be more agreeable and accepting of situations. They tend to be caring and nurturing, take an objective view in family squabbles (seeing all sides of the argument) and are generally the peacemakers. They are not attention seeking (mainly because they don’t see the point – they are resigned to their position). They can be less decisive and less connected often with a tendency to secrecy. They often keep their true feelings hidden because they don’t want to “rock the boat”. They tend to be good listeners, good friends and are very flexible and adaptable.

Last Born – The “pet” - frequently spoiled by the whole family. Others tend to be protective of the youngest and regularly make allowance for behaviour, no matter how outrageous. As a result the last born are accustomed to getting their own way and expect this to happen. Consequently they are rule breakers, more adventurous, push or ignore boundaries and can be seen as irresponsible. They are often very charming and use this to their advantage.

Well personally I would say that I fulfil the roles of both first born and middle child within our family depending on the situations and that I certainly display most of the traits associated with those positions. While I would not consider myself autocratic in terms of management style I can (somewhat shame-facedly) admit to having a tendency toward bossiness from time to time! I am definitely a leader and will often take the lead or steer something forward. I am most definitely the peacemaker, the person who can look at both sides objectively and find a way forward. Perhaps this is why I am good at conflict resolution. Truthfully I don’t see any Last Born traits now, although quite probably these were more identifiable in my younger years.

So why am I talking about this subject at all? Well it got me thinking that if Birth Order does indeed impact on our behaviour in one setting - family, isn’t it entirely possible or indeed likely that it impacts our behaviour in other settings like social groups and, more importantly, work. And if that is the case, should we identify how this impacts on our ability to manage and lead, how it relates to the likelihood that a particular individual will be a good leader or manager, the extent to which it might impact our efforts to introduce change or apply procedures. The list is endless.

I can’t help casting my mind back to the people I have managed over the years and matching this theory to their personality and behaviours. It makes for some very interesting thoughts.

There is of course one other category, Only Child.

Only child – Only children are typically the centre of their parent’s world. They are always the centre of attention and expect this as the “norm”. They can be very spoiled and self-centred, have an “it’s all about me attitude”, lack concern for the needs of others and are often reluctant to compromise or share. On the plus side they can be very confident and reach intellectual maturity earlier.

Now we have all known people who would reflect these traits, whether inside or outside work. Whether these can, in some way, be attributed to Birth Order Theory I will leave to you to decide. But think about this - if you were aware of an employee’s birth order, and (if you sign up to this theory) therefore the traits they were likely to display, could you manage them more effectively, play to their strengths, avoid conflict and generally have a better and more successful working environment? Perhaps there is even an argument for going back to asking some questions about family at interview...it could save you a lot of headaches!!

Inspiration overload

2010-03-26T11:42:00.000Z

This article (by Jackie Prendergast) was first published on www.bloggertone.com on March 1th, 2010

It was 4.a.m. when I adjusted my eyes to the darkness to check my watch. Awake again! But what was it that woke me...ah yes I had a great idea for my business. I spend some time thinking about the idea and how it might work before drifting back to sleep.

Today I sit at my desk and having completed much of my “must do” work for the day I cast my mind back to this morning. Now what was that idea again? I search my brain...and I know it is just there, almost in my grasp but I can’t quite remember.

It probably wouldn’t be so bad if this was the only time I had inspiring ideas and failed to capture or remember them but it isn’t. My mind is constantly buzzing with ideas. It might be some new idea I have had for a training course, a blog topic, a twist or new use for some management model, a business generation idea, a solution for a client that I haven’t thought of before, and so on.

It is great that I get all these ideas but the problem is that I hardly ever remember them and therefore I never know how good they were or if I could have used them for mine or someone else’s benefit. What a waste!

So I have had another thought – I can’t be the only one with this problem, and maybe I can come up with some tips on how to manage those ideas.

1. Find a method of instantly recording that suits you – people use all sorts of ways to record idea, Leonardo da Vinci was very fond of notebooks but if you prefer use your PDA, email a note to yourself, use a voice recorder, build a word document, excel spreadsheet or whatever. The more accessible it is though, the greater your chances of capturing those really great ideas

2. Be every ready – once you have a good workable recording method get using it. Don’t be afraid to jot something down even if you are in the middle of a meeting (it is often the comments of others that lead to our best ideas)

3. Keep a repository of ideas – even discarded ones are valuable and may benefit you in the future

4. Use a process like Mind Mapping or Idea Mapping to link and develop ideas (there are numerous free tools or you can learn to do it on paper)

5. Review and evaluate your ideas regularly – use the “Who, what, where, when, why & how” questions as a starting point to test the validity of your idea

6. Try it out – there have been a couple of ideas I have been procrastinating over for at least 6 months. Why? Because I am afraid they won’t work. But sometimes you just have to try it out and if it doesn’t work out, learn from it and move on

And why would you do all that. Well quite simply ideas and creativity lead to development and growth and are a cornerstone of any business, even more so in the current climate. The challenge is in harnessing those ideas and creating an environment in which you allow yourself to be inspired. Undoubtedly this is a simplistic view of how those ideas might be managed and is only a stepping stone to increasing creativity in your business.

Forget recession proofing, it is time for recovery proofing! 8 strategies to help get you and your people ready

2010-03-02T11:33:00.000Z

This article was first published by author on Bloggertone February 17th, 2010 View original article and comments

Lots of business owners and CEOs alike got caught on the hop by this recession. Failure to anticipate the downturn led to businesses revenue and profits suffering. This of course meant that staff, customers and shareholders suffered too. Needless to say, there is every likelihood that those same business owners and CEOs will again be caught on the hop by the upturn when it comes.
We have all been in the same mode for what feels like forever…survival. Everyone (almost) has been forced to tighten belts, cut costs, introduce pay cuts, reduce spend on ‘non-essentials’ like training and let staff go. But if the first few weeks of 2010 are any indication there is an air of positivity about and some upward movement in sales and business generation. If we aren’t ready for the upturn our problems may just be beginning.

8 strategies to help you prepare:

1. Business re-modelling – like most businesses you probably have quite a bit of spare capacity at the moment. Instead of focusing on this as a negative why not use the time and the capacity to take a long hard look at your business. And I don’t necessarily mean in terms of cutting costs because if you didn’t before the recession you should have a lean business by now. But think in terms of the upturn that is sure to come (hopefully sooner rather than later). How good are your systems and processes? Are there improvements and streamlining that can be implemented without over-stretching your budget. I am not suggesting you make huge investments but that you look for low cost ways of improving effectiveness. Take a look at your overall business model. It may have worked well during the last boom but is it the right ‘fit’ going forward? Make sure that the pain of the last 1 or 2 years doesn’t get wasted – take all the lessons you have learned and use them wisely.
2. Understand and manage your supply base – There are two issues here. Firstly you need to understand your suppliers and their businesses and be fully aware of their ability to supply you into the future. Will they still be in business? Will they have the capacity? Secondly, this is the time for doing deals. It is a perfect opportunity for locking in prices for a prolonged period – all it takes is a little negotiation nous.
3. Opportunity knocks – one of the biggest problems of a recession is that it is difficult to see opportunity and even if we do see it we rarely have the courage to go after it lest we de-stabilize our already shaky business. The thing is though if you don’t start looking for those opportunities and gearing up to take advantage of them, someone else will. And where will that leave your business? – bottom of the competition pile! Remember “fortune favours the brave”.
4. Use that brain power – The very practice of tightening belts and sticking to our core can stifle creativity and innovation. After all there is no spare cash for trying out new ideas so why bother generating them? This is a perfect time for brainstorming, building on combined brain power and stirring those creative juices. Why?

You probably have the spare capacity already and this is a great way to extract value and if not, better people can be engaged at a lower cost
No-one knows your business better than your people – so listen to them
If you stop being innovative, you and your people will have forgotten how by the time the economy recovers
Downturns always lead to innovation and “the next big thing”
Recession always leads to a bigger and better upturn

5. Invest in your people – this is the best time to look at your teams, their skills and capabilities and mould them to what you need for tomorrow. Are there opportunities for cross-training and job rotation? Now is a great time to concentrate on succession plans and developing your future leaders.
6. Engage staff – there is no doubt that the upturn, when it comes, will create churn in your people resources. As soon as the labour market starts to loosen up and good people begin to get offers your business will be in danger all over again. Unless of course you have looked after them well. A recent discussion paper by ACAS in the UK identifies four areas to promote and develop employee engagement:

Leadership - employees need to understand not only the purpose of the business but also how their individual role contributes to that vision
Engaging managers – engaging managers offer clarity for what is expected from the employees, treat their people as individuals with fairness and respect
Employee voice – employees’ views should be sought out, listened to and employees made to feel that their opinions count
Integrity - if an employee sees the values of the business ingrained in the management team, a sense of trust is more likely to be developed

There isn’t anything new in this but it is a timely reminder that it takes nothing other than a bit of effort to engage employees, build loyalty and protect against “fall-off” at the first sign of a sweet deal!
7. Build a sense of hope
While I am not suggesting that you mislead people about what the future might hold it is definitely time to build some sense of positivity. This will be a challenging task, when there is so much bad news surrounding us and every day can seem grimmer than the last. But as a leader you can’t allow your people to dwell on the negatives – you need to find a way to instil confidence and hope. Put a smile on their faces!!
8. Take a longer term view
To a large extent living through a downturn is about survival. And as such, businesses tend to shorten their planning process, focus on shorter term goals and make themselves as adaptable to the ever changing landscape as they can be. But in order to come out the other side of recession as a strong and successful business, there has to come a time when you once again start focusing on the longer term goals and objectives. One of the things you may need to consider is “Is it time to hire again?” It is great people that make great things happen so having the right team with the right capabilities should be a priority. Try to do determine where your business will be in another 12 to 18 months. What capabilities will you need to be successful and can you get ahead of your competitors in securing that talent? Look around you – what are your customers’ plans and what are your competitors doing?
Being ready for the upturn will make the difference between continuing to survive and being a successful, sustainable business. So what’s it going to be?

Recruitment – 10 key steps to getting the right person, first time!

2010-03-02T11:27:00.001Z

This article first published by author on Bloggertone, Jan 26th, 2010 View original and Comments

Given the current climate you would be forgiven for thinking I am a bit mad to be blogging about recruitment. But a survey I conducted amongst SME owners suggested that there would be some shift upwards in the jobs market during 2010 and that movement has continued in 2011. Whether this transfers across larger companies remains to be seen but business – and the economy generally – is definitely showing some signs of recovery. Anyhow given that positive vibe I thought it might be worthwhile writing something on how to improve your chances of getting the right person for the job and for your business.
And that really is very important. Given the huge choice of candidates on the market at the moment it is easy to slip into mode of “oh well, if (s)he doesn’t work out I’ll just hire someone else”. It is true that you can of course, but you might want to think about the cost of such a mistake.
Opinions vary on the actual cost (in monetary terms) of a bad recruitment decision but it is generally accepted that the cost ranges from around 50% to 300% of the annual salary. So if you hire someone for say €20,000 – they may only last three months but the least it is likely to cost you is €10,000 but it will probably cost you more. And that doesn’t include the cost of hiring someone else to do the job. Nor – more importantly – does it take account of things like lost opportunity, damage to customer relationships, loss of productivity overall in your team that often result. Or the effect it has on managers – this is particularly important if you are an SME who is centrally involved in both the hiring process and perhaps training, and dealing with the poor performance and other issues that arise. So can you really afford to get it wrong? I think not!
Here are my 10 key steps to help ensure you get it right, first time:
Step 1 Understand your need – job analysis. Ok so you have decided you need to take on more staff because you have got more business, need to spend more time on sales or whatever. Great. But do you really know what you need? Critically evaluate your existing resources. How does that measure up to what you need going forward. This gap, which might be described in functional terms like tasks, responsibilities, skills is the basis of defining the role. It is important to go one step further though and consider what would someone who is doing the job well look like. Always aim for a high performance level not an average one. Look at the existing team dynamics – how it works together, who fills what team role and is there anything missing. It might be worth using some psychometric profiling like Myers Brigg or DISC to help in this process – both can also be used as part of the selection process to get a “fit”.

Step 2 Understand what you want. It isn’t just about what you need for the business but about the type of person you want, or more precisely the type of organisation you want to create or maintain. Broadly speaking what I am talking about is culture – “the way we do things around here”. It is about the values and ethos you want your business and the people in your business to promote. It is about how you communicate with each other, the level of engagement and involvement, the way customers and suppliers are dealt with, the degree of flexibility and “we’re all in this together” that you need, the image your business portrays and so on. It is a fundamental part of your brand. It is important therefore that each person you bring into the business reflects and buys into that culture.

Step 3 Write a job description. By now you should know the following:

Broadly what the role entails (definition)
The tasks, responsibilities and accountabilities involved
What a good performer looks like and what competencies i.e. skills, knowledge and attitudes are necessary to achieve that
What challenges and opportunities will be involved
What type of person will fit your organisation – the personal characteristics

These elements basically make up your Job Description or Job profile and shouldn’t just be used for the recruitment process, but form the basis of your selection criteria, your training plans, goal / target setting and performance review.

Step 4 Decide on your selection process and criteria. Once you have decided what you need and want and have written your job description you should figure out how you are going to receive applications and assess and select candidates. Applications are typically by CV and perhaps cover letter or by application form. Some organisations opt for online processes. It really depends on what you prefer.
Interviewing is the most common form of assessment, with competency-based interviewing being the most robust interview method (it is proven to be the best in terms of predicting or assessing future performance capability). In addition you might want to consider shortlisting as a first step – this is a CV screening process and is usually based on some limited essential criteria. Given the high volumes of CVs being received currently this is a sensible addition to the process. You should also consider aptitude tests and / or psychometric tests. These should never be used as the only selection method but rather as an additional aid.
The criteria should be clear (and based on your Job description) and you should devise a marking system – this will make the selection process much easier, not to mention more reliable and transparent.

Step 5 Identify sources and launch search. Now that you have all the ground work done think about where you can find suitably qualified candidates. You can of course resort to newspaper adverts and recruitment agencies. More likely though you will go the route of Jobs Boards / websites. But please don’t forget your networks and contacts. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are all valid (and increasingly popular) sources. The more targeted you can be, the better the outcome. Networks are probably the most cost effective way of targeting new employees but may not always be the most efficient.

Step 6 Shortlist candidates. Using the criteria you have already set and taking pen and paper sift through all of the CVs and identify those that meet the requirements. You may want to have a marking system for particular criteria – this will make life easier if you have a large number who meet this first stage but only want to progress a small number to the next stage of the process.
Step 7 Make your selection – Interview, assessment, reference check, medical – dig deep
Once you have your shortlist of candidates you will move to the next stage. We have already mentioned the value of psychometric testing. In terms of interview you may decide to do one, two or several. You can conduct telephone interviews, one-to-one or panel. In any case what is most important is that you know in advance what you are going to ask, that it is based on assessing the extent to which the person meets the criteria and that you dig beyond the surface. Lots of people are polished at interview and will give good “textbook” answers – you need to know that they can do what they say. The best way of assessing this is by asking for examples of where they have done a similar thing before probing their answers.
Following on from the interview stage(s) when you have a preferred candidate or even two or three preferred candidates, conduct reference checks and a medical assessment. These are really important and can save you an enormous amount of grief down the line.
A word of warning – make sure you know what questions you should not ask at interview and what checks you are allowed to do.
Step 8 Offer. You should now have a top preferred candidate so time to make an offer. The offer should include details of salary, job role and responsibilities etc. You should never make an offer before completing Step 7 but if you do, please ensure it is conditional on a satisfactory outcome to checks and medical. The offer should also be subject to the candidate having provided you with accurate and honest information.

Step 9 Onboarding and Training. So the offer has been made and accepted and the person is ready to go. What next? All too often a new employee arrives to a “damp” welcome. The manager / boss is too busy to meet with him / her or isn’t even on-site. No one is quite sure what the “newbie” is supposed to be doing so they all just get on with their own work. I know this sounds exaggerated but you get the point I’m sure.
So what should happen? Well there should be some form of induction – rules, regulations, health and safety and other policies should be explained, introductions made, arrangements made to ensure the “newbie” has a buddy for lunch. Expectations should be clearly outlined in terms of behaviours and performance. Set and agree performance objectives – make sure you and they know what they will be measured on. Any training plans should be explained and initiated as quickly as possible.
This is the onboarding period – getting the “newbie” settled in, ensuring they become part of the team as quickly as possible and that they become productive as quickly as possible. A little time spent at this stage can reap huge rewards later.

Step 10 Review. There are two elements of review needed. Firstly look back over the recruitment and selection process. Did it go as well as you had hoped? What could have been improved upon.
More importantly is the review of the new employee’s performance. You should always include a probationary period in your contract (and offer) – at least six months. During that time you (or the line manager) should meet regularly with the employee to review performance and address any issues. If there are problems you need to know and deal with them quickly. If they don’t work out then it is much easier to terminate a contract during or at the end of the probationary period. In my opinion the recruitment process does not end until the employee has satisfactorily completed this period.

And a final word. It might sound like a long and complicated process but it just takes a bit of effort. And yes you might need the assistance of a professional to set up the process for you or even to implement it, but ultimately you will have gone a long way to avoiding those costs of a bad hire and to protecting your business.
If you have any questions about job analysis, psychometric testing, or any aspect of this article please feel free to comment here or contact me directly at Jackie@consultingexcellence.ie – I will be happy to help.

Dealing with the aftershocks – Motivating staff and management

2010-01-20T16:36:00.001Z

This article was first published in Accountancy Plus, The Official Journal of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, Issue 4, Dec 2009

In the business world there is nothing more certain than change and how we manage that change and the emotional fallout and aftershock of that change is critical in securing a positive outcome.

The story of redundancies, pay freezes, cutbacks and downsizing is all around us. As an individual it is unlikely that you have been left untouched by the impacts of these business realities; either directly or indirectly. If your organisation is one that hasn’t been affected in some way then you are certainly in the minority. For everyone else it is a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainty. Trust becomes a major issue. Loyalty is seriously threatened and the status quo undergoes a significant shift. How an organisation manages the change process, both before and after, will have a profound effect on its ability to capitalise on that change.

Even in boom times two of the most important aspects of good employee relations are trust and communications. Pretty much every employee survey and cultural audit will seek to measure these two factors. Where there are industrial relations issues trust and communications are typically a core part of the problem and the solution. There should be no surprises then that these two elements are a critical consideration in managing change and its aftermath.

The impact

All humans react to change, some more negatively than others. These reactions are very often closely aligned to those of bereavement, so for managers and business owners recognising the stages and having a plan or strategy for dealing with them is vitally important.

These stages typically include:

Shock and confusion: This can’t be happening...why is it happening...what’s happening?
Denial: This is not happening...they will never go through with it...the union will stop them.
Anxiety and fear: How will I cope... how is it going to affect me... will I be next?
Blame, mistrust and hostility: It is all their fault...if they did it once they will do it again...they don’t know what they are doing...I am not playing along with them
Sadness, envy and stress: I miss my friends / colleagues...I wish I had got that fat redundancy cheque...they are going to expect me to do more work and I can’t cope...what if I am next?

Results of a recent CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) survey of UK businesses involving 3000 employees indicate a significant impact on morale (70% felt that morale had been damaged by redundancy). 81 % expressed dissatisfaction with management saying that senior managers needed to restore or improve trust in their leadership with 22% being so unhappy with how the redundancy was managed they intend to look for new jobs once the labour market improves. According to Ben Willmott, CIPD senior adviser, public policy, what he described as this “fundamental lack of trust in senior managers” could be largely attributed to “the lack of meaningful consultation and effective communications during major change”.[1]

In redundancy situations, there is also a danger of focusing solely on those leaving the employment with little or no recognition that it is important to pay attention to those left behind to ensure continued productivity and a positive culture. The concept of “survivor syndrome” has been widely commented on by HR and management experts and is a recognised term for the reactions and attitudes displayed by those remaining in an employment after redundancies.

The symptoms of “survivor syndrome” mirror those reactions to change or stages described above: shock and confusion, anxiety fear and uncertainly, mistrust and hostility, sadness, envy and stress. Survivors can also feel relief (that they still have a job), guilt (that they got to keep their jobs while friends and colleagues did not), anger (at how those people were treated), neglected (when the primary focus has been on leavers) and resentment (at being asked to do more and more work).

At the CIPD’s Annual Employment Law Conference in Dublin earlier this year psychologist John Loughrane talked about research into “redundancy survivors” which suggests that these people are more prone to ill-health and anxiety than those in secure employment and display signs of guilt, reduced self esteem and their productivity and sense of involvement decreases.

In the aftermath of any “negative” change then, particularly redundancy, employees need motivation, inspirational leadership and assurance that their job is secure.

10 step Survivor strategy

Simply being aware of what is likely to occur in the aftermath of significant “negative” change will not be enough to see your organisation through. It is important in managing any change process that you have a clear strategy for managing the before and after. This is particularly true of redundancy situations although the key elements will be the same regardless. So what can your organisation do to motivate staff (and managers), secure their continued engagement and minimise their stress?

Communicate, communicate, communicate! Be honest about what is happening and don’t make promises about the future that you may not be able to keep. Treat you managers and staff as responsible adults – don’t try to hide bad news from them as it will just undermine your credibility
Be visible and accessible. Now is not the time for extended business trips or working from home. You and your managers need to be on-site, working alongside your staff, willing and able to answer their questions.
Put yourself in their shoes – consider how they are feeling and their needs. Remember the stages / reactions we talked about earlier. Show empathy and understanding. Listen openly to their fears and concerns.
Lead. Give clear direction and reinforce the sense of “common goal” and working together. Clarify any new roles and responsibilities. Be positive in your language and outlook. Instil hope.
Lay your cards on the table and ask for their help. Engage with staff in developing an action plan for moving forward. The need to feel that their opinions are valued.
Explain your reasoning for your actions to date and make it clear that you are being proactive in addressing upcoming challenges.
Keep your managers fully informed of developments so they can talk to their teams. Train and support them so they are able to deal with traumatic change and the issues arising. Recognise the vital role they play and make sure they are equipped with the necessary people management skills.
Rebuild your team. Remember that team dynamics have changed and that new teams will need to work together. Now more than ever reward and recognition are vital. Celebrate your successes and encourage social interaction and team-building activities.
Manage workloads and performance. There is a danger of overloading remaining staff and managers. Instead look carefully and processes and seek opportunities for streamlining. Minimise record keeping.
Support your employees – provide training (skills training for any new tasks and responsibilities, time management etc), consider stress management courses and Employee Assistance Programmes.

Outcomes

Change, poorly managed, can be catastrophic. Managers and leaders have the responsibility to help their staff to understand the commercial realities facing the organisation. They must also reignite their commitment, motivation and morale. Employers will need to work hard to rebuild trust and raise morale and to maintain it through the difficult times ahead. They will need to demonstrate empathy and understanding, excellent listening and coaching skills. And they need to communicate!!

The costs of ignoring the impacts of “negative” change can be crippling. Absence cover and recruitment costs are significant and time-consuming. Reduced productivity and quality will wipe out any financial benefits derived from the cost-cutting measures. And risking the loss of key employees (through dissatisfaction and disgruntlement) in an already reduced workforce could be devastating for the business.

In the current economic climate we all understand that change can be reactionary. This does not mean that there shouldn’t be a clear plan to manage the process and a defined strategy for handling the aftermath. If you, and your organisation, are serious about survival this is the only way forward. And don’t forget to keep your finger on the pulse...knowing what your employees are feeling and thinking is key to a positive outcome!

Jackie Prendergast runs her own HR & Management Consultancy – Consulting Excellence, providing a full range of HR supports and services to organisations, particularly within the SME sector. She also serves as a business mentor with Dublin City Enterprise Board. To discuss any of the issue raised in this article or for information about how Consulting Excellence can help you or your clients please contact Jackie on 01-4652391 or email: jackie@consultingexcellence.ie

You can also follow Jackie on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaciPrendergast

[1] “Survivor syndrome” hits UK workforce morale, Claire Churchyard, People Management, August 2009

SME Owners Survey on the year ahead

2010-01-16T12:16:00.002Z

While writing my last blog on business planning it struck me that it might be useful to gather some thoughts on what SME Owners are expecting from 2010. I feel strongly that we can learn from the experiences of others and that knowing that others are facing similar challenges and surviving can bolster our confidence to move forward. So I went ahead and conducted a short survey.

The finding were, overall, very positive. It seems like it is good news for SMEs for the year ahead. Of the 58 respondents, 81% expect to experience growth during 2010, with 31% expecting more than 30% growth. Even better, none of the respondents anticipates going out of business this year.

Good news also for job seekers as almost 33% of respondents expect to recruit during the period. Only 7.3% expect to make pay cuts, reduce working hours or initiate redundancies.

To find out more on the challenges and opportunities as well as actions planned by respondents read the full report here http://short.ie/naf0vo. Don't forget to come back and leave your comments!

Business planning - is it just a paper exercise? | Transforming your Business

2010-01-11T10:58:00.003Z

Have you ever notice that the very mention of the words “Business Plan” makes people cringe, glance away, mutter…hop on the nearest train to a parallel universe?

What is it that makes people so uncomfortable? Personally I think it is that many attempt a business plan, most write it down…and then promptly forget about it. Generally it is prepared because of a specific need like applying for credit or a grant or maybe an award. Maybe you think I am being unfair and are full of righteous indignation right now but seriously, hand on heart, can you say that your business plan (that’s if you have one) is a living, changing thing that reminds you of your goals, directs your actions and charts your progress? Because that is what it should be!

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“There is nothing as queer as folk” – Small business and team dynamics | People matters

2009-12-03T13:38:00.000Z

You will be aware that people don’t always get along together, don’t always gel. There is often conflict and clashes of personality and within groups regularly there is confusion about roles and where individuals fit into the overall picture. Getting your team dynamics right is all important to your success!

To read this blog just click here:
“There is nothing as queer as folk” – Small business and team dynamics | People matters

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An interviewer's perspective - where does it all go wrong?

2009-12-01T13:24:00.007Z

Having spent much of my working life in roles where I interviewed candidates for jobs: first in an SME, later on Interview Boards for Civil and Public service jobs and to a significant extent while a HR manager as well as some Executive Search Consultancy and numerous recruitment projects since I set up my own business , I think I have a good insight into where jobs interviews most often go wrong.

With the best will in the world it can be very hard to remain objective right throughout an interview process. Sure a structured, competency-based interview approach can minimise the impact ofsubjectivity, particularly in relation to personal biases, but nevertheless an individual interviewer will always be influenced to a certain extent by their perception of what they see and hear during the interview.

For example, imagine interviewing a candidate for a role where grooming and personal presentation were clearly important and been faced with a guy in dirty overalls and steel-capped boots! Or a young man turning up to interview for a graduate position in torn jeans and t-shirt. Or a woman with more make-up on her collar than her face (and that’s really saying something). So yes, physical presentation is important to a point. That doesn’t mean you need an Armani suit or Jimmy Choos but it does mean clean, smart clothes in good repair.

More importantly is the first impressions you give when you speak to your interviewers. Arriving 20 minutes late and simply saying “I missed the train” before plonking yourself in the chair and sighing really won’t do you any favours. These might seem like exaggerated examples but they actually happened. If you have got the interviewers backs up this early in the interview you really are going to have difficulty recovering the situation.

What else can spell disaster for you?

Not listening to the question and going off on some tangent which is clearly your pre-prepared speech
Getting into a disagreement with an interviewer about some issue – while it is right to have an opinion and be able to articulate it, you should also know where to draw the line
Not thinking through an example before telling the interviewer the story – for example telling how you “gave him a slap” when talking about how you have handled conflict (True example!)
Taking claim for something that would clearly not be within your remit – I once interviewed someone who claimed to have been responsible for all outputs that were actually the responsibility of his manager and even his manager’s manager…ouch! He lost all credibility and got an absolute roasting from the Board…he didn’t get the job!
Not knowing what the job or the company is about…are you really interested in the job??
Sitting poker-faced throughout the interview – you have to show emotion to show yourmotivation, otherwise how will you get them to “buy into” you?
Been unable to process what is happening quickly enough or take cues from your interviewers – it is really important that you recognise when things are going wrong and find a way to turn it around and to know when you are not giving the interviewer what they are looking for
Being caught out on a lie…this most often happens when reviewing a CV early in the interview and the only time I have known it to not impact on the outcome was in the Apprentice (UK) where a candidate was found to have lied and got away with it
Saying that you have no weakness or that your weakness is too much attention to detail or being a perfectionist – firstly in most instances these would be considered a strength and secondly everyone rolls these out so try being a little more original and truthful!

These are of course not the only things that can go wrong but they are some of the main things that arise. Well, perhaps I should add just one more:

You need to manage your own expectations and be realistic about your ability to do the job. If you don’t have the experience, competencies and capability to do the job no amount of interview preparation or good interview techniques are going to change the outcome!

So what are my top tips for interviews?

Arrive on-time, well presented and fully prepared. Listen carefully and communicate clearly. Be truthful and don’t try to be something you are not. Try empathising with your interviewers and understanding what they need to achieve. And finally, know your own limits (while still reaching for the sky!)

For more in-depth help on preparing for interview and getting that job get our E-book "Tackling the Myths...Interview Guide for Winners" on Amazon for Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005A7SUDM or in the UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005A7SUDM

Rewarding poor performers - are you guilty? | People matters

2009-11-24T10:18:00.005Z

Do you reward under-performance? It may sound strange but it is a regular occurence in organisations. And of course the problem is that we don’t think about it as “rewarding” and we certainly don’t consider the impact it has on our high performers.

To access this blog post just click here: Rewarding poor performers - are you guilty? | People matters

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Resolving Workplace Conflict - 10 key steps to getting back on track

2009-11-23T15:54:00.005Z

Conflict, unresolved, can have a detrimental impact on any business. It undermines relationships, negatively impacts on communications, suppresses innovation, creativity and collaboration and can seriously diminish performance. The team can suffer, the product or service can suffer and your customer can suffer. The smaller the business the bigger the impact is likely to be! Therefore, it is important that you address conflict as soon as you become aware of it.

Here are the 10 key steps you will need to undertake:

Decide on a mediator (either you, someone else in the business or an experienced external mediator) whom the parties can trust and respect and set up a face-to-face meeting with the parties involved
Set the ground rules - remember things like confidentiality, respecting each other, allowing each other speak without interuption and separating problems from people
Be clear about the objective - usually not to establish blame or fault but to arrive at a solution which is mutually acceptable. This is about establishing a common goal
Establish the facts - getting both to state the issues from their perspective. Listen first, talk second!
Identify the real problem - use questions and probing to get to any underlying issues - often what presents as the problem is really only a symptom so dig deep!
Generate solutions - look to both parties for potential solutions. Depending on their position these might be quite opposing initially. As mediator it is your job to get to a point where there is a mutually acceptable solution
Overcome obstacles - often you will need to bring one or each party into a side meeting to get to real truths or to overcome some stumbling block to a solution. Sometimes it is about helping them see "sense"! It also helps in understanding any deal breakers or "bottom line" positions
Get committment - once a solution has been agreed seek commitment from both parties to an agreed course of action
Set up support - ensure you put in place any structures necessary to support the outcome (often this is just a follow-up review meeting but could include training, coaching, counselling etc)
Be clear about the what if - never leave the mediation session with establishing clearly what the next step is likely to be if parties fail to keep to their commitment

If you are a party to the conflict then resolution can be a little more challenging but is nonetheless achieveable. For the most part these same rules will apply - the key is to focusing on issues not people, establishing common ground and negotiating a mutually acceptable agreement. Always seek a win-win situation!

For more information or if you need help in resolving workplace conflict contact me at: jackie@consultingexcellence.ie

Talking Leadership - What does leadership mean to you

2009-11-11T14:49:00.002Z

When you think of leaders and leadership what or who do you think about? For many it is Barack Obama, Nelson Mandella or maybe…

To access this blog post just click here: Talking Leadership

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Interviews - what not to wear

2009-11-11T14:31:00.000Z

Some of you will probably be familiar with the TV show – “What not to wear”. Essentially it is about taking people (admittedly usually women) and showing them why they shouldn’t wear pretty much everything in their wardrobes. More importantly it is about giving them tips on what style, cut colour etc. they should wear and what is appropriate to various situations. Well one of the most important places to get this decision right is at a job interview.

What you wear at an interview may not be the only deciding factor or technically might not be a factor at all when the interviewers make a decision on who to hire but it is generally accepted that a first impression will be formed within the first 20 seconds of an interview. And first impressions do count! So what should you not wear? Well jeans (and denim skirts) are a definite no! I really don’t care what the job is, jeans are never appropriate attire. They say comfort and casual. They do not say interested, respectful or professional. T-shirts and any type of sports clothes are pretty much out too. The only exception to this might be for women who want to wear a smart t-shirt type top under a good suit. Hawaiian shirts are not a runner either. I am all for adding a bit of colour but there is no need to blind your interviewers! And, what about miniskirts and hot pants? Well if you need me to answer that question are you really up to the job?

For most formal interviews men should wear a proper shirt, with full sleeve, together with a suit and tie. The tie is an opportunity to add a bit of personality but don’t get too carried away. The only exception would be when you are interviewing with an organisation that adopts a much more relaxed approach. Then smart casual might be more suitable. In all cases if in doubt opt for formal attire. For women, interview attire is a little more flexible. Appropriate interview wear can range from trousers suit, skirt suit, dress with jacket, to a more mix and match approach. Again though, colours should be understated. In additions cuts should be tailored and formal and shoes should be neither completely flat or “killer heels”.

Finding the right balance is often difficult but do remember that you are going for an interview. It is important that you create an impression of professionalism and instil confidence. Try to match your clothes to the company with whom you are interviewing. It may all seem very obvious but you’d be surprised at just how many people don’t dress appropriately for an interview. Don’t forget. Your job is to sell yourself, including your skills, experiences, attributes and personality. So don’t let yourself down. Make sure you know what not to wear for interview! And be one step closer to getting that job. This is just one of the issues I address in my new revised EBook “Tackling the Myths – Interview Guide for Winners” which is available in Pdf from our website or via Amazon Kindle. For more information http://www.consultingexcellence.ie/main/page_online_shop_ebooks.html

Interviews - When more is less!

2009-11-11T14:30:00.000Z

So just how much should you say at an interview? Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of candidates for a variety of jobs at every step of the career ladder and I can honestly say that the same "blackspots" arise over and over again. No matter how experienced, educated or indeed old the candidate is!

One such interview "blackspot" is knowing how much to say. Now clearly answering yes, no or I don't know every time the interviewer asks you a question isn't going to get you very far. But neither is it a very good idea to gush words - any words! Why not? Well quite simply you are wasting time. Most importantly your time. Each candidate is usually given more or less the same amount of time for their interview. So it important that you use the time wisely.

Focus on what you are being asked. If you aren't sure what they are looking for then ask them (the interviewers) to clarify. Pause for a minute if you need to and gather your thoughts into a coherent answer and then go for it. And if you notice the interviewer raising the palm of their hand toward you this is a clear indication that they want you to stop. So don't ignore it because it will frustrate them even more.

Remember the point about an interview is that you are there to sell yourself, to convince the interviewer that you are right for the job. Be focused, alert and listen carefully. Deliver your responses clearly and with the minimum of "flowery" language. Listen out for the hints and leads in the questions that are being asked and answer accordingly. And if you notice your interviewer looking out the window or "jumping" around in his chair then you've lost him and it really is time to take stock and think about how you can rescue this interview - and you can, really you can.

If you want to learn more about interviews you can purchase our recently updated EBook - "Interview Guide for Winners" available in Pdf from our website and via Amazon Kindle. For more details go to: http://www.consultingexcellence.ie/main/page_online_shop_online_cv_services.html

CV Basics - Doing it yourself!

2009-11-11T14:20:00.001Z

Why is it than when the jobs market tightens and the economy starts to look more than a little unstable, everyone thinks that they have to jump through even more hoops to get a job. Well okay, they probably do but that doesn't include creating mad CVs with tons of garish colour and images and fancy fonts. I know that you want your CV to stand out, and like me, every CV / Interview coach worth their salt will be telling you that you will need to if you want to get an interview, but none, I should hope, will be recommending such "extreme" action. That isn't to say that it shouldn't look a little different - it can be eye-catching without being thrashy you know!

Why not? Well quite simply because from a HR Manager's point of view it is very annoying. Unneccesary. Often a nuisance for scanning, printing etc not to mention distracting. The person reading you CV first off will scan it - quickly. Too much formatting and images are not what will help you to get a call for interview.

So what are the basics you need to know? If you are preparaing a CV and
a) You’ve never done it before or
b) You have one but it is really old or
c) It is pretty recent but it doesn’t seem to be doing its job – getting you an interview for your dream job!
Don’t panic! While I am a strong advocate of having your CV polished by a professional ( it is important if you want to stand out and make sure your CV doesn’t end up in the bin), here are some tips for those of you who prefer to go it alone.
One of the main mistakes I believe people make when preparing a CV is to begin with the layout and design. I am not saying that this aspect of your CV isn’t important – it is! – but you need to get the content right first.
So before you do anything else:
Step 1 - Think over your career to date and consider what have been the highlights. What do you consider to have been your greatest achievements? Write them down!
Step 2 - What are your main strengths and key skills? Write them down!
Step 3 – Now look at the job description for the job you want – what are the main requirements? Write them down and look at how they fit with what you have written under Steps 1 & 2
Now you begin to draft your actual CV:
Step 4 – By now you should have some sense of how you can match your skills and experience to the requirements of the job – so depending on the level of job you are applying for you might want to highlight some of your key skills at the top of your CV
Step 5 – Next, starting with your current job, list all your relevant work experience. Make sure to include dates and employers / company name. Give a brief description of your role and set out your responsibilities or main achievements in each case
Step 6 – Include your Educational Qualifications (unlike work experience this should start with your earliest qualification and move to the most recent)
Step 7 – List any other relevant skills, experience or training
Step 8 – List referees or provide a statement regarding the availability of references.
Step 9 – Format – put the information, in that order, into your desired format. There are lots of templates available but please remember to keep it simple. This is a professional sales document so unless you are going for a job in a creative environment you should skip the animation and graphics!
Step 10 - Review the information – have you highlighted / included all achievements or responsibilities which link to the requirements of the job?
Step 11 – Spell check and then check manually for spelling and grammatical errors.
Step 12 – Okay you are nearly done but don’t forget to include your name, address, a telephone number where you can be contacted during business hours and your email address.

That’s it – you have a CV. Now here are some of the things you should avoid:
1. Don’t use too much jargon unless it is relevant to the job
2. Don’t put so much detail on your CV that the reader is bored – you should be stimulating their interest
3. Generally don’t include hobbies and interests – especially if they are lies. Hobbies and interest are unnecessary unless they are relevant to the job – for example being involved in a local community or voluntary group would be relevant for a job in An Garda Siochana, Ambulance Driver, Care Worker or numerous other community related jobs – or they are really interesting and different
4. You do not have to include your Date of Birth, Marital Status or Nationality (although you should ensure that you have the necessary documentation / are permitted to work in the particular country)
5. Don’t have complex formatting – avoid boxes etc as many CVs are scanned and this type of formatting will cause problems
6. Don’t leave time gaps – it raises questions that can easily be avoided
7. Don’t opt for a generic CV – it is important that you tailor your CV to each job application. This will significantly increase your chances of being called for interview
8. Don’t have a CV longer than two or (if you really must) three pages – nobody will read it!

For more information on CVs and CV services contact CV professionals at Consulting Excellence http://www.consultingexcellence.ie/main/page_online_shop_online_cv_services.html

Do you have any tips or comments that you think we've left out?