Jobs

Teaching Directory

2009-09-15T13:10:00Z

Teaching Directory

Are you a teaching professional looking for work in the UK? Get a head start. Take advantage of TNT Magazine's online directory to interact with key recruiters in the teaching industry. Our directory includes industry specific need to know information about teaching in the UK - rates of pay for teachers, opportunities for teaching in the UK, interviews with UK based teachers and the experience and qualifications required. Read it to know it!

Finance and Accounting directory

2009-09-15T11:19:00Z

Finance Directory

Welcome to the UK Finance Directory! Providing you with the information you need to take advantage of career opportunities in the UK. If you are looking to combine industry-specific work with regular travel, then click here to interact with the key recruiters in your industry and gain an insight into what to expect and how to make the most of your time in the UK and Europe. Brought to you in association with the CPA. Read it to know it!

How to write a CV

2008-09-08T14:59:00Z

CV Tips - In association with Robert Walters

Your CV is a tool with one purpose: to win an interview. It should present you in the best possible light and convince a prospective employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this specific position or career. You don't have much time to impress with your CV - research shows that employers scan, rather than read, CVs - so to make sure it stimulates interest, follow these basic tips on how to write a CV:

General advice for writing a perfect CV

Avoid coloured paper or type, fancy fonts, photographs or clever delivery approaches
Be truthful and don't be afraid to sell your skills
Keep the look simple and make your point quickly download our CV template as a guide
Use the past tense and choose strong action verbs
Avoid speaking about yourself in the third person
Avoid jargon and acronyms that other people might not understand
Tailor your resume for each specific application
Include the company profile of the organisations that you have worked for
Make your CV results oriented: give proof to back up your capability statements.

Tips for CV sections

Personal Information

Include your name, full address, telephone numbers (day/evening/mobile) and email address.

Qualifications

List both academic and non-academic qualifications in chronological order, giving grades.
Do not include irrelevant information.

Employment History

Beginning with your most recent job, include your responsibilities, duration of employment and reasons for leaving.
Do not omit any period of employment for whatever reason, as this may prove awkward at interview.

Personal Interests

Listing your interests is important, but do not generalise. For example, instead of simply saying 'football', you could expand and say that you have played for a local club for the last four years and are now publicity officer for the committee (but only if this is true).

Check

Before submitting your CV/Resumé, make sure you check it thoroughly, not just for spelling mistakes, but also to make sure that it is a clear representation of you, that it is relevant and that it will encourage the employer to contact you to find out more.
Ask a friend to check it, too. Someone who works in the industry for which you are applying would be particularly beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put my referees on my CV?

These need not be included on your CV. However, before Robert Walters can place you, we will need to carry out detailed reference checks for your most recent five years of employment history, so it is useful to have these at the ready.

How much personal information should I include?

Generally, you should avoid too much personal information on your resume. Remember the employer is looking for an overview of your skills, think about what is relevant.

Should I put my photo on my resume?

You should try and avoid inserting any photographs or graphics onto your resume.

Should I put my hobbies / interests on my resume?

It is fine to include hobbies and interests on your resume but always consider if they are likely to add or detract from your resume. Remember not everyone enjoys the same pastimes.

Should I include academic or extra curricular achievements on my resume?

Definitely, such achievements as school prefect or captain may show leadership skills and any involvement in extra mural activity will be well received by an employer looking for staff who demonstrate a work/life balance.

Should I put my work email address on my resume?

You should avoid using your work contact details when applying for other positions unless you have clarified this with your current employer. If you are going to set up a hotmail address or something similar, be sure it is an appropriate address and avoid using nicknames as this could give a negative impression to a future employer.

How long should my resume be?

We would recommend that a resume be no longer than 4-5 pages, this is ample space to include all relevant career history and information.

Should I include a cover letter?

Cover letters are only useful if they are specifically tailored to the role. Don't use a generic cover letter as it looks as though you haven't put in any effort. If you are going to use a cover letter, use it to clearly outline where your skills and experience match those required in the role and ensure that it is correctly addressed.

>> Read more on finding a job in the UK, go to TNT Jobs for more careers advice – or search for job vacancies

>> Upload your CV and receive job alerts – register with TNT Jobs

>> See Robert Walters jobs

Finding a job

2008-08-01T14:48:00Z

Finding a job in the UK may seem daunting, but compared to other countries around the world there are plenty of job opportunities on offer, particularly in a global city such as London.

If you're travelling on a working holiday visa, it may be more difficult to find a permanent, full-time job. But the new visa changes, which allows Australians and New Zealanders to work in the UK for 24 months, improves Antipodeans chances of securing a permanent position. There's also plenty of short-term contract and temporary jobs for people who prefer more flexible employment.

Recruitment agencies

Many new arrivals head to recruitment agencies when they start looking for a job. When considering signing up with recruitment agencies you should ask yourself the following: Do you want a permanent job or short-term contracts? How much confidence do you have in finding a job on your own? What would you like to do while living in the UK?

Some industries rely on agency recruitment more than others.

Finding work through an agency is effectively a three-stage process:

You contact an agency and arrange to submit your CV
The agency calls you in for an interview, where upon they may also test you on your skills
The agency then matches you to a job that suits your skills and experience

This is the general procedure for recruitment agencies, but the reality may differ. While many recruitment agencies are very efficient and reliable, others may essentially forget about you when you’ve finished your interview.

It’s worth signing up to several agencies to broaden your chances of finding work, but try to build a rapport with a few agencies that specialise in your industry.

Don’t be afraid to phone the agencies regularly to remind them you're still looking for work.

>> Search TNT Jobs for recruitment agencies

>> See tips for a good CV

Finding a job by yourself

In addition to using recruitment agencies, searching for a job by yourself will do more to optimise your chances in the UK job market.

Searching the major national newspapers and their websites is a good place to start your job search. There are plenty of recruitment websites around too.

Specialist publications and websites aimed at your related industry often advertise job positions that may not be advertised in larger recruitment publications.

Targeting specific companies you would like to work for is also an effective way to find a job. Check the company's website regularly for new jobs being advertised, and contact their Human Resources department to find out the best way to apply for available positions.

>> Search TNT Jobs for vacancies, the latest job market news, careers advice and a directory of recruitment agencies and employers

>> Upload your CV and receive job alerts – register with TNT Jobs

>> If you are South African, you might want to visit the SA Times website.

>> Alec's FREE CV writing, resume writing, interview questions & job search tips FREE advice on how to dramatically improve your CV / resume, find a job and handle interviews.

Jobs

Teaching Directory

Teaching Directory

Related links

Finance and Accounting directory

Finance Directory

How to write a CV

CV Tips - In association with Robert Walters

General advice for writing a perfect CV

Tips for CV sections

Personal Information

Qualifications

Employment History

Personal Interests

Check

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put my referees on my CV?

How much personal information should I include?

Should I put my photo on my resume?

Should I put my hobbies / interests on my resume?

Should I include academic or extra curricular achievements on my resume?

Should I put my work email address on my resume?

How long should my resume be?

Should I include a cover letter?

Finding a job

Recruitment agencies

Finding a job by yourself