Whether you’ve been in the job market for some time or are just starting out, improving your CV can help you get ahead. Here are some expert tips for writing a winning CV – and aceing your interview.

THE CV
Your CV should be geared towards selling only the skills and work experience relevant to the job you’re applying for. “Your CV is but one of a number of CVs that will make it to the recruitment desk,” says talent and retention manager, Ishara Maharaj. Your CV has to stand out from the others.

Less is more. “Don’t clutter up each page with endless information about your hobbies and personality,” advises Maharaj. A good CV should contain:

t Personal details These are typically your contact details, date of birth, health status, and driver’s licence.

l Educational background Details of your matriculation, tertiary education, and any other courses you may have completed.

c Work experience Most recent experience comes first. Highlight the relevant areas pertaining to the job you are applying for.

p Key skills Highlight your developed competencies such as facilitation or organisational skills, customer service or technical, such as computer, skills.

“A good way to test whether your CV is cluttered or not,” says Maharaj, “is to apply the arms-length test. Hold your typed CV at arms length and assess whether there is a good balance of white spaces with wording, and if the areas that you have highlighted (bold, underlined or italicised) actually do stand out”.

THE INTERVIEW
If your CV has impressed the relevant people, it’s time to prepare for your interview. “Remember that the purpose of an interview is to give you a face-to-face opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer,” says personnel trainer and management consultant Sue von Hirschfeld. “And the interview will also give you the opportunity to decide if you want to take the job should you be offered it — so you need to both give and get information”.

PRE-INTERVIEW

t Research the organisation on the Internet
By gathering information about your prospective employer, you will be able to ask informed questions.

Always dress formally But don’t go overboard, you’re not going to a wedding. A simple black skirt and a buttoned shirt or jacket will do. Leave the bling and stilettos at home.

o Turn off your cellphone If your phone rings, it disrupts the interview and you’ll appear unprofessional.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

n Never lie about your experience “Sooner or later you will be caught out,” says von Hirschfeld. Rather say, “I don’t know about that, but I am aware of xyz” or “I haven’t done that, but I have done…”

a Sell yourselfEmphasise your strengths; give examples of these in action, without telling your personal life history. Try to give your answer in two minutes or less, this will keep you focused just on the important points, and keep the momentum going.

f Be polite And never make disparaging comments against your current or previous boss or company, advises recruitment consultant Soheir Salie. This only makes you look petty and disloyal.

o Don’t be too eager to discuss money “You do need to find out about working conditions, leave, pay, prospects for career advancement and so on,” says von Hirschfeld, “but don’t make these the focus or it will appear as though you are mainly concerned about what the organisation will give you, rather than vice versa.”

POST-INTERVIEW

e Follow up “Always thank your interviewers for the opportunity to meet with them. You can also send them a thank you e-mail after the meeting,” suggests Maharaj.