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Professional CV writing services offers free blank resume forms for download.

Studies show that up to seventy-five percent of all CVs and resumes reviewed contained some type of deception in them. Many people think that it is alright to exaggerate the truth or state an outright lie when looking for employment. Most feel that an employer is too busy to check all the facts and they will get away with falsifying information.

The largest group of people that submit CVs and resumes containing false information is women in their thirties. They make up at least thirty-three percent with young men in their twenties coming up a close second.

So why tell resume and CV lies? Many people feel that almost everybody does it to make a better impression than others competing for the same position. However, if they are discovered they run the risk of losing out on being hired. Also they run the risk of ruining their reputation and future job opportunities.

Not only are we dealing with a moral issue, we are dealing with a legal issue as well.
Should an employer find out about misleading information found in a resume, CV, or application form before a person is formally hired, they have the right by law to withdraw the offer of a job.
If the deception is found out after a person is already working for an employer, then the employer can dismiss the person. If that employer is listed as a reference, they can state the deception as a reason of termination, potentially ruining chances of being hired by another employer.

What kind of information is most commonly falsified? Most often a resume or CV will have dates of employment that have been exaggerated so that it looks like a person was with an employer for longer than they actually were. Sometimes dates are exaggerated so that gaps in employment are wiped out or decreased for whatever reason. Salaries are often disclosed to be up to thirty-five percent more than what was actually received.

More serious false information involves stating or producing phony degrees. Unscrupulous people can find and even produce false documents that are very official looking, giving a potential employer the impression that the person has received higher education when in reality, the person may have only attended a few courses or worse yet, never even attended the institution in question. This is a serious offense and could result in conviction and time in prison.

The bottom line is that if you do not know how to represent yourself in a positive light ask a professional resume or CV writer to write a resume for you .

Or another option is to speak with someone that you admire and ask them how they wrote up their CV or resume. Telling resume and CV lies, or lying on your job application form should be avoided so that you do not have to worry about defending yourself or you employment if the misleading information is discovered.

There’s more information on resume and CV lies here .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/resumes-articles/should-i-tell-resume-and-cv-lies-462356.html

About the Author:
We are 4 interviewers with over 67 years of recruitment experience between us and we want to help you snag a job — your dream job. Our website provides free help and advice on all aspects of finding a job, from cover letters and resumes, to sample interview questions and answers.

Your stress level, however, will drop when you know you are ready for the interview. The following tips will give you that confidence you need.

1. Be prepared for a few basic questions, especially the negative ones like what are your weaknesses and why do you want to leave your current job. Once you’ve gone to a number of interviews, you will notice that certain questions, or at least certain types of questions, get asked on a regular basis. Be prepared to sound CONFIDENT, not perfect. The impression you want to leave is that you are competent and smart, recognize your weak points, and most importantly are actively working to address problem areas.

When you’re preparing for an interview, the most important question to think about is the one about your greatest weakness. Think about this one for a while. Make sure your answer to this question will be similar to the answers your references will give. It is okay to ask them what you think your biggest weakness is, in fact!

2. Know your interviewer. This doesn’t mean call him up and ask him out to coffee. It means you should call the place you’re hoping to be working at soon and ask the receptionist who she thinks your boss will be in that position. If she doesn’t know, you can ask for human resources and see if they will tell you. You do not have to give your name in this call, just say that you’re interested in the position and would like to send a copy of your letter and resume to this person in addition to the blank box address or human resources address given in the posting. Then follow up by sending that resume to that interviewer.

Find out, if possible, what your interviewer’s job is, and do a quick Google on their name to see if there has been any recent news. It’s nice to be able to congratulate them if they’ve won an award for instance. Don’t get creepy; going into Facebook to find out the name of their wife, daughter, and goldfish is too much. Keep it professional.

3. If you’re not a hundred percent certain what the job entails, find out. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call, seriously. You don’t even have to talk to your interviewer or prospective boss, though that’s not necessarily bad. Giving them a call before you go in does a few things. First, you can be informed about the job. Second, it gives you a chance to ask about other things that seem trivial until they come up: Where do you park? Is there a guard to check in with? Anything special you should expect? I once showed up for a 7:30 interview at a building that wasn’t unlocked until 8 am. The interviewer simply didn’t think about this, and sat fuming when I wasn’t there until she realized that I was locked out.

When you understand what the position will be, think about the company and the position. Can you project what they might want to be doing with this position? For instance, I once applied for a job teaching office skills to people moving off welfare into the workplace. Some research on this job told me that not only were they planning to continue this project, they were going to expand into the private sector and teach computer classes to local businesses. By knowing this, I was able to address their plans directly in the interview – before they asked. This let them know I was on the same page, career-wise, they were on, and I landed the job.

4. Wear comfortable shoes. No, this does not mean tennis shoes. Instead, you need to recognize that your attitude is going to be largely determined by how comfortable you feel at the interview. Too-tight pantyhose, a bra strap that slides down, shoes that pinch, pants that ride up – all these things are going to make your interview more difficult. Look good, but opt for interview clothes that don’t make you aware that you’re wearing clothes. This may mean that your second-best suit, or your mom’s great pumps, are what you need to wear.

As you prepare for your interview remember that your personal appearance is more than just clothes-deep, and looking comfortable gives you a completely different dimension. Make sure you feel good before walking in, so you can focus on the interviewer instead of wondering if you have a blister.

5. Use positive body language at every step. Your interview starts when you drive into the parking lot. You need to be completely aware of your surroundings and the attitude you are giving off at every step from that moment forward. (Yes, this also means wash the car.) Walk inside with confidence, and be kind to the receptionist. You would be surprised how many interviewers ask her opinion of the interviewee!

The firm handshake is not optional, regardless of your sex. Instead, it is a skill to be mastered. When you’re working on it, put yourself into the role of the interviewer; would you hire someone with limp hands? Over and over, interviewers state that this one aspect of a person sets the tone for the entire interview. As part of preparing for an interview, practice it with your friends, along with the friendly, confident smile, until you know you have it right.

There’s more information on preparing for an interview here including dealing with interview nerves.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/5-top-tips-for-preparing-for-a-job-interview-460853.html

About the Author:

We are 4 interviewers with over 67 years of recruitment experience between us and we want to help you snag a job — your dream job. Our website provides free help and advice on all aspects of finding a job, from cover letters and resumes, to sample interview questions and answers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/what-to-wear-to-a-job-interview-464212.html

About the Author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Job Interview for Years. For More Information on What To Wear To A Job Interview

There are many things that matter in an interview; it’s not only the right answers, but also the way you answer. There are many things that interviewers observe before they decide to hire you.

Do Some Groundwork

To increase your chances of getting hired, you need to do some research with regard to the company. Log on to their website and check what they are looking for. Gathering some information about the company will help you answer their questions with confidence.

Knowledge regarding their work culture and their mission will help you give good answers. Once you get to know what the company is looking for, you can be confident enough to speak about your own experience with respect to what they are seeking.

Practice

Many find it stupid and useless to rehearse for an interview, thinking that it is impossible to know what questions will be asked. However, if you practice for common questions related to the job profile, it will help you to be confident at the interview.

It’s true that practice can make perfect. Many lose job offers not because they didn’t know the answers, but because they were not prepared. You can ask a friend to help you or simply sit in front of a mirror and rehearse. Record your answers on tape and analyze how you sound.

Practice will help you boost your confidence - because you will know you are well prepared.

Appearance and Attitude

First, the way you dress makes a lot of difference. Before you go for an interview, plan what you are going to wear. Men should wear a business suit. Women should dress modestly and neatly. Remember, you are not going there for a fashion show or to impress other candidates.

Women need to have a light layer of makeup unless the job calls for being in front of a camera. Carry yourself smartly and check your posture. The moment you walk into the office, you are being observed. When you walk toward the interviewer, their eyes are on you and they form an impression about you. When the interviewer shakes your hand, they judge your confidence by the firmness of it. See to it that your hand is sweat-free or it might reveal your nervousness. Throughout the interview, maintain eye contact.

Always keep in your mind the conviction that you don’t need the company - the company needs you. It may not be true, but it can help boost your confidence. Believe in yourself and give it your best shot!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/great-tips-to-boost-your-job-interview-confidence-484537.html

About the Author:
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Keep it simple. Employers don’t want to see colourful titles, text or images, the information should be presented as clearly as possible with headers to distinguish the different sections. Think of it as a business document. You don’t want your clients to think you spend all day making colourful titles or adding clip art. Your focus should be on the content itself.

Proof read your CV yourself. Computer spellcheckers are not as good as a brain and a dictionary. Particularly if the job you are applying for requires communication skills, you should ensure your CV is grammatically as good as it can be, as this is the first piece of work your potential employers will be judging you on.

Contact details

There is a certain amount of information which CVs should contain :

- Name
- Address
- Phone number & email address

Think twice before including any sort of networking website URL (such as your Facebook or Bebo profile), as you should be fully prepared for employers to look at all the information provided on your page when assessing whether you are the right person for the job. Even if you are careful about what you put on your page, what if a friend posts a message about a crack smoking weekend or a fight you were involved in?

Personal profile

It is a good idea to have some sort of personal profile at the top of your CV. Don’t go into too much depth or explanation but you should summarise your skillset and experience, maybe even with an idea of what you want to do next (make sure it is in line with the job description you are applying for).

Skills, Employment & Education

There’s no mathematical equation to writing the perfect CV. Many people will offer you set ways of doing things but your CV should be uniquely tailored both to you and the job you are applying for. Things which you might include on a CV for certain job applications would be a waste of space on another. The best idea is to read the job description and custom-build your CV to match the specification.

You should include a list of skills you possess, but whether this should be a list of skills with descriptions or a list of jobs or qualifications with a skills breakdown is your choice. Many people format their CVs with Education and Employment sections with descriptions of the different roles, duties, skills and responsibilities held.

Sometimes to list your employment and education is missing out a lot of your more important accomplishments. Let’s say you organised a cake sale for charity, or a school newsletter - Education or Employment? It doesn’t fit into either category neatly but clearly displays you are a motivated and organised person - Sometimes exactly the qualities employers are seeking. Consider an ‘Accomplishments’ or ‘Achievements’ section for any activities you have taken part in which show you in a good light. Remember to relate everything to individual skills; teamwork, organisation, responsibility etc.

Other CVs will have a more general list of skills (Communication, IT, Organisation, Teamwork, Customer service…) with reference to certain jobs, education or experiences contained elsewhere on the CV.

Even if you decide to have a less formal skills list, you should still list all your academic attainment and at least your last 2 years of employment with dates so potential employers can see how you have spent your time. Often graduates who do not find jobs immediately after education can have trouble finding a job because employers can see by their CV that they haven’t worked since they graduated. If you have gaps of months or years on your CV be prepared to be asked about them. You can talk about spending time with family, volunteering for philanthropic causes or helping someone start their own business. Employers expect applicants to be slightly creative with the truth on CVs, but be prepared to be quizzed on your volunteer work or business start-up.

Interests & Hobbies

Many people put a ‘Hobbies’ or ‘Interests’ section toward the end of their CV. This is not the opportunity to tell your employer how much you like to pick your nose or watch television. Employers will either be looking for interests relevant to the job (for example being interested by the media for a PR job) or interests which show you to be a rounded, popular person (meaning you will probably fit in well to the working environment).

References

References are important, but are often excluded from a CV to save space. If you are going to miss out references to make room for your skills, employment and education it is good idea to just write “References available upon request”. Employers will want a reference who has known you in a professional or academic context, preferably someone in a position of power and/or responsibility.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/how-to-write-the-perfect-cv-486828.html

Ask your prospective employers’ office whether the company has a dress code. If so, then dress accordingly. If there is no dress code, then dress in a well-ironed shirt and matching trousers if you are a man. If you are a woman, be sure to wear business-looking attire. Polish your shoes the night before the interview. If you are wearing a tie, use a subtle color that is not flashy or in too much contrast with your clothes. A woman applicant should avoid flashy colors or a style that calls too much attention to itself.

Your certificates should be arranged neatly in a folder, which should not look worn or torn. Make certain you have showered before you go out the door. Male applicants’ beards should look well-tended.

Avoid perfume and cologne at all costs. Many people are offended by obvious scents; some are allergic to them.

Exude Confidence

Keep your shoulders back and shake hands firmly with your interviewer. Maintain eye contact while talking to him or her. Address the interviewer by title and respect his views. Keep calm and be honest while answering questions. Try to turn any negative aspects into positive ones.

For example, if you do not have an answer to a particular technical question, you might answer that you will have no problem picking up that skill once the company hires you.

Study the Company Beforehand

Do thorough research on the company that is interviewing you. Study its history, product range, and the kinds of people it is interested in hiring. If you feel that you are a good fit, then go for it; otherwise apply somewhere else.

There is no point in getting the job and then being unhappy in your work.

Let Your Interviewer Need You

If you have advanced skills for the job, highlight them in your resume and also in your interview. This should make your interviewer think that if he or she hires you, the company will benefit.

The way you answer questions should also give the impression that the company needs you and your services. Tone it down, however, lest you come across as arrogant.

Be Courteous

Keep a smile on your face. Be courteous and answer all the questions politely. Do not get flustered or angry even though some questions may be designed to trick you. It could be a ruse by your interviewer to check your responses when you are under pressure.

Do not get into an argument with your interviewer even if you feel he or she is wrong. Do not forget your manners and thank your interviewer as you leave.

Write Well

If you are given a written test, then write in the correct format as required by your interviewer. Avoid errors in spelling and grammar. Keep an extra pen in your folder as a backup and also carry blank sheets of paper. Write neatly and do not make too many cross-outs.

Think before you write.

Observe Your Interviewer

Keep an eye on your interviewer’s expressions to measure how your answers are being received. Watch body language and respond accordingly.

Interviews are sometimes nerve-wracking, but using these tips just might tip the interview in your favor.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-basic-steps-to-a-successful-interview-488622.html

About the Author:
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

1. Make the resume look appealing to the reader. While this may seem straight forward, most resumes are cramped, difficult to read, overflowing with detail and illogical in their development.

2. Keep to the basics. Don’t add a bunch of information that is not relevant to the position you are apply for. Most resumes are designed for a blanket type application; this often means that you are unable to highlight the specific skills that match this one job. Writing a good resume may mean changing your resume slightly for each application, rather than just changing the covering letter.

3. Have an interesting, factual and informative covering letter. Specify your qualifications, education and experience without just summarizing the whole resume. The covering letter should lead the employer to want to read the whole resume.

4. Use white space as much as text. White space can break up the points, help to highlight information, and make the resume easy to read and stylish without all the additional lines, shading and graphics seen on some contemporary types of resumes.

5. Double check spelling and grammar; then check again. There is nothing worse or worse looking than spelling something wrong on your resume or covering letter. This includes the employers name, business name or any other information.

6. Never use technical jargon or any type of industry or local slang on a resume. You have been a manager, not a boss.

7. Use bullets and phrases to minimize the amount of reading required by the employer. Shorten to the minimum number of words while still giving a clear picture.

8. Writing a good resume includes doing a bit of research on the company. By knowing some of the company mission statements or goals you can incorporate these into your resume if possible.

9. Use a plain, typeface font, never a decorative or whimsical font. This can send the wrong message or decrease the readability of the resume.

10. Avoid making your resume too long. Two pages is considered a good maximum, but for professionals that have extensive experience this may simply not be enough room. Writing a good resume is more focused on the need to provide relevant information rather than a specific page number.

Using the above 10 tips will help with writing a good resume. There is additional information on the internet, in books, or even through resume service to help you develop a resume you can be proud of. Bring your career to the next level.

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1. Resume Posting is a service where job seekers post their resumes to an online job search site for employers and recruiters to find. Employers or recruiters usually find you within the resume database, of an online job search site, using key words will put up the chances for most of the applicants to find easily by the employers and finally call for a job interview. However it depends on how you select appropriate keywords for your resume and remember that this service is usually offered free for job seekers.

2. Use a word processing programs such as MS Word that have basic and advanced tools to create and format your resume. You should also create an electronic friendly version of your resume by making a back up data in MS Word based resume to a Notepad. The former application will convert your resume into ASCII text which allows your resume to be read in email format.

In order to ensure that the employers can find you, your resume should contain key words that is strongly related to the position that you are applying for.

3. The primary advantage of posting your resume online is that your resume will be available to a wide array of employers and recruiters in the shortest period of time. Presumably, you will gain access to a large number of job opportunities compared to the access you will have by viewing employment advertisements, company web sites, employment web sites or the newspapers. And it is easy, fast and rather practical.

4. The biggest advantage of online resume posting is also its biggest disadvantage because it makes your resume along with your personal information available to the public. It can result to numerous phone calls from headhunters, agencies, employment consultants or even telemarketers. Its a reminder for everyone to not give too much personal information in their resume online, be careful and wisely before putting any remarks that might become a problem.

5. You should choose your resume bank wisely. Some offers their service for free while others have a monthly free. Aside from the service cost, you should consider the scope of the service that you choose. Some resume bank offers national exposures while others might be run by professional association or network of businesses. Weigh in the pro’s and con’s before finally submitting your resume online to avoid regrets at the end.

Posting resume online through resume banks or job search sites will certainly help you form a wide network in your career search. The key reminders are: prepare a strong resume, search for the best resume bank based on your needs, post your electronic resume and prepare yourself for the great career opportunities that awaits you. Build a confident before and after meeting with an employer and be sure to take all the charges when it comes to present yourself professionally and elegantly.

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Of course, bring a couple of copies, and be sure to read your resume before the interview, so you’re completely familiar with everything you’ve written. You might also bring materials which would be particularly good at illustrating an important aspect of your work, such as creative designs, writing samples, and so forth. Be careful though, not to overdo it with the props. When in doubt, just bring your resume and your business card – they’re the most important props you’ll ever need.

Two: Appropriate Dress and Appearance

Dress professionally for the interview. Remember that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Your appearance should be neat and clean, pressed and polished. Conservative business attire is appropriate for most settings.

Three: Directions to the Interview Location

Try to get directions at least a day before your interview, so you don’t get lost and arrive late. And here’s a tip: Always bring some cash to pay for parking. Never ask an employer to validate your parking stub, or reimburse you for parking. Not only is it not polite, you’ll create a negative impression, since it’s considered common courtesy to pay your own expenses for a local interview. The best time to arrive for an interview is precisely when you’re scheduled, not early or late. It can irk an employer to be told that the candidate for a 2 o’clock appointment is waiting in the lobby at one thirty-five. If your appointment is at two, then arrive at two.

Four: Name and Title of the Interviewer(s)

When you arrange the interview, find out who you’ll be talking to, and what their function is within the company. You might already know the person. If that’s the case, you’re ahead of the game. If not, send out feelers among your contacts within your industry, or look in your industry’s trade publications to see if the person you’re going to be meeting is distinguished in any way.

Five: Understanding the Company’s Hiring Procedure

To correctly gauge the sequence of events surrounding or following your first interview ask these questions:

A. Can you describe to me, step by step, the hiring procedure for this position?
B. Will I be asked to take any tests?
C. How long will it take before you reach a decision?
D. Who will be making the hiring decision?

Six: Background Information on the Company

While the amount of background information you can gather about a company is practically endless, it would be ludicrous to try to become a walking encyclopedia of corporate trivia. By arriving for your interview adequately briefed, you’ll make a strong impression on the interview. Best of all, you can spend your interviewing time discussing your background and the company’s needs, not the corporate biography, or company financial report.

Seven: A Complete List of Questions You Want to Ask

A. Company questions deal with the organization, direction, policies, stability, growth, market share, and new products or services of the prospective company or department;
B. Industry questions deal with the health, growth, change, technological advancement, and personnel of the industry as a whole;
C. Position questions deal with the scope, responsibilities, travel, compensation policies, and reporting structure of the position you’re interviewing for; and
D. Opportunity questions deal with your own potential for growth or advancement within the company or its divisions, and the likely timetable for promotion.

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