How to seek out jobs in the hidden market
Q: I have scoured the internet for a job. Anything I see, I’m onto it. However, I am not getting much feedback and am becoming frustrated. How can I be more effective in my search? (CP, email). A: The keyword here is ‘effective’. Applying for online positions is just one way of using your time, […]
CV lingers on – but it’s not the full story
Hear ye, hear ye, the CV is still not dead. It’s a struggling business that somehow stays afloat despite long-running forecasts of its imminent closure. Every woman in a suit is rumoured to be the sheriff: a strange car in the car surely carries the Repo Man. And yet it lumbers on, writes Liam Horan, […]
Old courses can still be relevant on a CV
Q: I have done dozens of courses over the years. Now that I am refreshing my CV, should I take most of them out? Who cares that 20 years ago I did a course managing people more effectively? The world of people management has changed beyond all recognition in the meantime. Should I hit ‘delete’ […]
Cutting through the verbiage of wordy job specs
Inspired/deflated by one particularly wordy job specification I recently had to prise open with a crowbar for a client, I posted the following on LinkedIn: “Is it just me, or have job specs gone completely doolally lately? It seems like they are getting longer and longer and longer and longer by the minute, and the […]
Forbidding form the only option
Q: I’m about to get stuck into a huge application form for a job in a local authority. I feel like just sending in my CV instead and seeing how that goes. What do you think? Are they likely to be strict about using their standard application forms? I feel that my CV sells me better. (CD, email). A: In […]
11 steps to build a winning CV
In this video series, Career Coach Liam Horan breaks down the process of CV writing into 11 easily-achievable steps. A good CV is much more than a toneless, mechanical list of your experiences and achievements. There is an art to it. You need to get in the right mindset and commit to selling yourself. The […]
HOW TO: Final tips on writing your CV
Before editing the CV or turning up to the job interview, know the company inside out. Check out the company website, look at their staff profiles on LinkedIn, and if you can, get talking to someone in the company. You may just get an insider’s perspective on the employer’s ideal candidate – and you can […]
HOW TO: Including referees on your CV
Depending on the job, you may not need to include referee contact details. Do give the referee the heads up that they may get a phone call. Also, remind your referees what career path you are chasing: don’t expect them to remember. This video is a short clip from a public talk in Dublin by […]
HOW TO: Depicting hobbies and interests on your CV
The impact of this section depends on how you use it. Think selling, not listing. You can tailor this section to prove that you have certain skills that are listed in the job specification. This video is a short clip from a public talk in Dublin by Liam Horan on the topic of making a […]
HOW TO: Covering your work experience and education in your CV
Place emphasis on work and education experiences that are pertinent to the job in question. Skim over less relevant experiences and close any gaps with one line. Don’t be bashful about including details of high results or distinctions. This video is a short clip from a public talk in Dublin by Liam Horan on the […]