Your friend has been applying for a job for more than a week. After more than 200 applications were sent, (s)he hasn’t received a single response. What should you ask first? What could be the problem?

Answer explanation

(S)he probably didn’t have enough time to tailor 200 CVs. Applying with a generic CV is not a good idea. Proper application requires research and CV adjustment. Every time you are applying for a role, you should check the job description and adjust your CV to emphasize relevant skills and experiences for the job

What did Samantha do wrong?

• She didn't put a picture.

• Her description is too long for this kind of job.

• She applied for the wrong position

• She didn't update her CV to match the ad.

Answer explanation

1. TAILOR YOUR CV:

Make sure your CV matches the industry for the position you applied to.

Have a few CVs formatted to the different fields you'll be targetting.

Sales, Customer Service, Executive roles, Butcher, etc...

What personal information should I NOT put in my CV? (multiple answers possible)

• Date of Birth

• Eligibilty to work

• Single / married

• Full address

Answer explanation

Here is what we recommend:

- Email

- Phone number

- City or area (D4)

- LinkedIn

- Visa status or Eligibility to Work

- Picutre ... not mandatory (would not recommend)

Should I always have my phone number on my CV ?

• YES

• NO

Answer explanation

The 1st thing a recruiter will do is trying to call you.

If you are in Ireland, please get an Irish number, if the role is to be filled quickly, they won't bother calling a foreign one as they assume you're abroad.

When you have a foreign number, do add the extension/county code.

Jane has a few email addresses, and she is not sure which one to put on her CV. Help her choose.

• [e-mail]

• [e-mail]

• Her student email address. She studied at a very respectable university.

• Her email address from work. She is checking emails there very often.

Answer explanation

Use only a personal, yet professional email address. (no [e-mail])

School and work emails, are things that can easily become obsolete. You might change jobs, or leave school, or you could lose access to it.

I don't need to explain what I did in each of my work experience, the job title speaks for itself.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

You need to always put 3-5 bullet points under EACH RELEVANT work experience, to clearly explain the main tasks you were doing.

Use strong action verbs “Responsible for”, “In charge of”, Managed, etc ...

Should I list all my work experiences, starting from student jobs?

• YES

• NO

Answer explanation

You should focus on experiences relevant to the job you're applying to.

However, keep in mind that you'll have to explain gaps in your CV if there are some.

John works as an Office Manager but dreaming of a career change. He just finished a digital marketing course and has plenty of volunteering experience as Social Media Manager and Marketing Assistant for a local NGO. Should he include volunteering experience in his CV?

• NO

• YES

Answer explanation

It doesn't matter if it was a paid job or volunteering, it's still relevant experience.

How should I put the dates for each of my work experience?

• 2016-2021

• 16-21

• 1st of February 2016 - 24 of March 2021

• Feb 2016 - Mar 2021

Answer explanation

This helps the recruiter assess the amount of experience you have for each relevant role.

Furthermore, whenever we run references, the dates your reference gives needs to match exactly the ones in your CV

Only formal education should be included in CV.

• FALSE

• TRUE

Answer explanation

Constantly learning and improving yoursel is very important. Don't be ashamed to list relevant trainings, courses, and certifications.

It's your time to brag!