Personal Details >

Outline your name, home address, email(s), telephone
A short profile can help to personalise a CV but try and keep this to roughly 4-6 lines in length.

Education and Qualifications >

Starting from your most recent qualification outline all relevant grades awarded and educational establishments attended.

Professional Qualifications >

Separately list all professional qualifications and work-related training you have undertaken.

Employment History >

Start by stating the company name, your position and then put your start date and end date. You can then bullet point a brief description of your responsibilities, duties and achievements.

Additionally, highlight some impressive and significant points of your career.

Interests and References >

This is the opportunity where you can outline your main areas of interest outside of the working environment. Do make this description short and concise and also be aware that questions may come up in interview.

If you have nominated someone as a referee do let them know prior to forwarding your CV. Be prepared to list referees back to the last 5 plus years as some agencies require this subject to offer.

You should have now come to the end of your CV. Read over and also get a friend to double check and give an opinion. Question: is this a positive marketing tool?

Preparation and Research for an Interview >

An employer will measure your suitability for a position by the effort you have put into preparation and of course the way you portray yourself. Once prepared this will help to shake off nerves and allow you to offer a confident meeting.

1). Make sure you have the correct date and time of the interview and ask for the full address.

2). Always plan your journey in advance. Photocopy a mapped route or ask your G2 Search consultant for information on directions. Ask for a contact telephone number for emergencies and allow yourself plenty of time!

3). Write down the name of the person who will be running the interview and make sure you are aware of the interviewer’s position within the company.

4). You must investigate the recruitment agency and the office you are applying for. Every recruitment agency varies in style and views so the more you know the stronger applicant you will be.

a) Research can be done by looking at the company brochure, looking at the company’s website or back dated issues of ‘Recruiter’ or ‘Therecruitmentconsultant’
b) If the recruitment agency has a mission statement or vision or specific policies, know them!
c) Understand fully the job description you are applying for. If you have any doubts or queries or simply need anything explained ask your G2 Search consultant.

5). Consider what questions you may be asked at the interview. Our clients in almost all cases will want to know the following information as part of their selection process so ensure it is at hand for quick reference:

a) Fee-Earning:

Our clients often require formal proof of your fee-earning ability. Don’t be surprised if they ask for evidence of this by requesting to see your commission report, salary statements, P60 or a sales league table if you have one.

b) Restrictive Covenants:

Can you really take up the position on offer without causing problems with your current employer? We suggest you read your contract of employment prior to the interview.

c) Client Relationships & Account Management:

Our clients will ask you about your current (and past) client base. Be prepared to answer questions surrounding your relationship with your clients such as:

• The number of clients you work with and whether you originated them yourself or are you simply account managing them?
• How do you win your business?
• Who you speak to at these clients – are you negotiating at senior/director level or with HR?
• How much actual revenue you actually generated from each one and what percentage of your total fee-earning represents each one?
• You may be asked about lost client relationships – be open and frank with your answers where appropriate.

6) Candidate Management:

If you manage candidates on a day-to-day basis our client may ask you to demonstrate your experience in this area such as:

• Who do you place? Give details and pick out 1 or 2 examples of placements that were particularly challenging.
• At what salary level do you currently place at?
• Where do you get your candidates from? Our clients are keen to know if you originated candidates yourself or whether you rely on database, job-boards or resourcer’s etc.
• Have you any experience in headhunting candidates? If asked, give some examples where you were successful.

7). Make sure you know your CV inside and out. The CV is a tool and a reference to the way the interviewer will construct the interview. Always have a second CV to hand and use it to brief yourself before interview.

8). Ensure you have prepared some pertinent questions to ask during the interview. Your research will highlight areas for discussion.