CREATE GREAT FIRST IMPRESSIONS BY PREPAIRING AN IMPRESSIVE CV

May 10, 2012 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

Today we’re sharing some top tips from one of South Africa’s top recruitment specialists. Marie Hardick of Executives Online has the following tips about compiling an impressive CV, to share with us this week…

Job searching and application has revolutionalised over the past few years to align itself with the ever changing job market. As new professions have risen, which didn’t exist 10 or 15 years ago, individuals no longer feel spell bound to have a “nine to five”, due to the rapid uptake of new technologies. But the fact remains that people will always be searching for jobs, so Marie Hardick of Executives Online has the following tips about compiling an impressive CV to share with us this week:

  • CV Length: Most CVs are at least two pages long, and often much longer. A résumé should be a two page summary with skills, experience and education, while a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a more detailed synopsis about your academic background, detailed skills and experience combined with a portfolio of evidence (awards, presentations, achievements).
  • Font and Size: Do not use ornate fonts that are difficult to read; Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or a similar font is best. Your font size should be between 10 and 12 points, although your name and the section headings can be a little larger and/or bolded.
  • Format: However you decide to organise the sections of your CV, be sure to keep each section uniform. For example, if you put the name of one organisation in italics, every organisation name must be in italics. It should look neat and professional. Use bullets wherever subsections are required and do not use too many variants of font sizes and styles.
  • Accuracy: Be sure to edit your CV before sending it. Check spelling, grammar, tenses, names of companies and people.
  • Contact details: At the top of your CV, include your name and contact information (address, phone number, email address). Most CVs start with these but take care to avoid superfluous details, such as religious affiliation, children’s names or your pet’s names.
  • Achievements: If you have achieved any title in your career or academic span, feel free to flaunt it here in detail (title, year, cause, and provider’s details). Even small achievements, titles and awards earned can be mentioned. Be sure to mention achievements listed against each role.

Marie says first impressions are the ones that matter, therefore pay extra special attention to ensure your CV or résumé is flawless!

To find out more about creating a top notch CV visit: www.executiveonline.co.za

Pose like a professional

May 3, 2012 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

This week we are sharing Michael Edwards’  top tips for taking good (and easy) head and shoulder pictures for your CV or professional profile. Michael is a Cape Town based Commercial Stills Photographer and co-owner of e image, a national photographic agency with twelve years experience dealing directly with corporate clients

Firstly, Michael encourages you to make sure that you put in the effort to look presentable. A suit, good make-up, a fresh hairstyle and an early night will do wonders.

Use a plain, neutral background. Michael warns that there is nothing worse than seeing a branch of a pot-plant in the background ’sticking out’ of your ear.

The correct lighting is very important, so make sure that whoever takes your pictures uses soft lighting. Hard, direct flash lighting is not only brash, but unflattering, he advises.

Michael recommends that you take sitting AND standing pictures. Turn your body slightly side-on to the camera, facing forward. It is always possible to crop a full body picture, so it’s a good idea to have them in case you need them.

He also advises that you lean into (towards) the camera during the shoot. This makes you look confident and assured.

And finally: spend the R950 on a professional photo-shoot. It could just make all the difference!

To get professional photographs taken or to find out more about e image, visit www.eimage.co.za

Don’t let your dress get in the way of your success

April 25, 2012 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

This week’s local branding expert is Alexis Chaffe, online fashion editor at 36Boutiques.com. She shares her top tips on how to dress for success, inspired by her experience at South Africa’s premium online fashion retailer.

Your appearance is what the world judges you on initially, so Alexis urges you to look well put together at all times: sloppy dressing never looks professional!

Alexis cautions you to avoid wearing vivid prints when you are making a presentation. “You want your audience to focus on your presentation, not your dress” she advises.

Because it is important to make yourself heard, she suggests that accessories are kept to a minimum, to avoid “jangling” and potential distraction when you speak.

To keep your clothes in tip top condition, and in tune with your professional look, care for them correctly by following the wash care instructions on the label.

Alexis advises that it’s best to dress your age, and avoid showing too much skin. “Business is about making the most of your talents – not your assets,” she says.

And finally: Don’t forget to take your sunglasses off your head when you go into a meeting. You don’t want to look like you’re off to the beach!

To find out more about the exciting world of online shopping, visit www.36boutiques.com or become a Facebook fan on http://www.facebook.com/36boutiques

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