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Monday, July 30, 2012

Free technical CV template

One of the most frequent requests I get from contractors I manage, and candidates in all fields is:  "is my CV ok?"

Here is a blended template I have put together from my experience and talks with clients and candidates alike.  See how you go and let me know what you think!

Cheers

Technical format CV
List your strengths by placing emphasis on your skills, experience and abilities at the top, and following that a chronological list of experience, as in this sample CV.
Technical format resumes are best for candidates who have technical job roles, if you are changing careers / industries, candidates returning to the workforce or graduates with limited work experience.  



Name Lastname
Address:
Suburb State Postcode
Mobile phone:
Mobile Number

Email address:                               Personal email address
Job title sought
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Skill
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Skill
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Skill
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Employment History

Date:
Month year - present
Company:
Company Name
Title:
Job Title  
Duties / Details:
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Date:
Month year – month year
Company:
Company Name
Title:
Job Title  
Duties / Details:
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Education
Institution, Qualification attained, year graduated
Referees
Available on request


Presentation do's and don'ts
Do:
·         Use a standard, easily read and professional font – use the same font throughout.
·         Proof-read spelling and grammar, use spellcheck and ask a friend to read through it 
·         Include links to your publicly available professional profiles such as Linkedin or Google+
Don't:
·         Use non-standard fonts or lines of italic / underlined or bold fonts.
·         Use pictures / photos or images.
·         Save and submit as PDF by default


Monday, July 2, 2012

What is Headhunting?

Have you often been told by recruitment consultants that they are 'headhunting' for a particular role?  In fact on Linkedin you will find that about 1 out of 2 recruiters will mention Headhunting on their profile... as a skill or something that they regularly do

The free online dictionary says:
1. The custom of cutting off and preserving the heads of enemies as trophies. ( As much as what I believe I would like to do this sometimes, I don't mean this one)
2. Slang The process of attempting to remove influence and power from enemies, especially political enemies. (Don't get too excited - this sounds more interesting than it is)
3. Informal
a. The business of recruiting personnel, especially executive personnel, as for a corporation. ( I mean this one - but only the middle part)
b. The act or an instance of such recruiting. (Nah that's not it either)
When you're interviewing a candidate and you ask why they left their job in a previous employer; and you get this answer 'I was headhunted'.  Please let them know that unless they changed careers and went from CEO to software developer ( it is possible) this recruiting process did not happen to them.
Our job as recruiters is often partly an education role and many recruiters believe that headhunting is the process of identifying a candidate, and then approaching them.  This process is actually called sourcing (or, just doing our jobs right?)  There are many interchangeable synonyms used in the industry for sourcing, but headhunting is not one of them.
Headhunting is the process of gaining a recquisition from a client to identify, approach and negotiate exit contracts with C-level executives in order for them to join your client.  It's often a more complicated public relations nightmare than it sounds.  To be involved in even just one of these arrangements in your recruitment career will create utter admiration and respect for the professionals who undertake this as their main source of business.  It is a lengthy process that takes many months and is always an exclusively retained service by the client.
So whilst it's great to see that recruiters with less than 6 months experience in the industry know the following terminology like 'headhunting' 'extensive experience' and 'executive recruitment' they do not understand what these words really mean and are not furthering our cause to be regarded as professionals. 
Next time you hear this expression being used loosely, please take the young person by the ear and tell them how important it is in a people industry - to listen and act professionally
Thats my rant for the day - what's your view?