CAREERNEWS
Tailored CVs key to gaining that job interview
Searching fora new job as an executive assistant canbeachallenge with so many candidates competing for the best positions. Standing out among the crowd is key, says Margaret Francis of the South- East Missourian. Tailoring your résumé fora particular
position is the best way to capture the attention of recruiters. By creating a résumé that gets results, you will get a better response and enjoy a greater chance of landing a career. Employers are often flooded with
résumés when they advertise a vacancy. A large part of the interviewer’s job is simply weeding out the applicants who are not suitable for the job. A recruiter often does not have enough time to thoroughly read each CV. They often scan for key terms and experience to shorten the list of prospects. If your résumé conveys that you are
qualified for the position, you will have a better chance of attracting the hiring manager’s attention. Think about the duties of an executive assistant and include those terms in your résumé. Words like “managed”, “ran”, “organised”, “screened” and “connected” are often associated with assistants. Including these terms will make it more likely for you to be called in for an interview. Be sure to highlight both your hard
and soft skills. A stellar assistant has the right combination of communication skills, software skills and judgement. Soft skills include writing skills, punctuality
and a demonstrated maturity. Hard skills include understanding how to use special software, plan meetings and use the phone system. Be sure to highlight both sets of skills
on your résumé to ensure that you will be called in for an interview. Finally, be sure to edit your résumé. A great assistant is an extension of the
executive. They represent the boss and the company in every facet of the job. Communicating effectively in writing is
essential as the job entails responding to emails, typing memos and writing letters on the executive’s behalf. If your résumé contains spelling mistakes, typos and grammatical errors, it would obviously be assumed you would make the same errors on the job. Have a couple of peers reviewyour
résumé to check for errors. Another helpful tip is to check out EA
résumés online. Looking at examples can help you generate ideas of ways to customise your résumé. Great EAs pay close attention to detail.
Be sure to make sure your dates are correct and your résumé is formatted properly. Check that fonts are uniform throughout and your contact information is prominent. Double checking your résumé for errors will increase your chances of getting the job. Landing a career as an EA can be
rewarding. By observing these tips, you can ensure that your résumé makes it to the top of the pile.
Assistants in high demand
Personal assistants, administrative assistants, secretaries and office-support staff are the most wanted employees in Singapore this year. This follows the eighth annual talent-shortage
survey by workforce-solutions firm Manpower Singapore. Nearly 40,000employers in 42 countries and territories were polled. According to the survey, 47 per cent of employers
in Singapore are having difficulty finding staff with the right skills. Global results of the survey showed that 35 per cent of employers worldwide are reporting shortages, the highest level since before the global economic crisis.
54 AUGUST/OCTOBER 2013 |
WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.ASIA
All the career news and advice top PAs need.
It pays to be honest
It can be tempting to lie on your résumé, or at least stretch the truth. But if you’re careless with the truth, you can easily be caught out with today’s technology. According to US recruitment and research
firm ADP, 46 per cent of job applicants commit some form of résumé fraud. As proof of this, Business Insider says that entering the phrase “lying on” in Google will lead to your top hit being “lying on your résumé”. Lying on a résumé, of course, has a wide
range well beyond outright lies –such as listing a fake degree, writes Dan Fastenbery in
TheStreet.com. Security consulting firm Marquet International has compiled the 10 most common résumé lies:
1 Stretching work dates. 2 Inflating accomplishments and skills. 3 Enhancing job titles and responsibilities. 4 Exaggerating one’s educational background.
5 Inventing periods of “self-employment” to cover up unemployment.
6 Omitting some previous jobs. 7 Faking credentials. 8 Falsifying reasons for leaving previous employment.
9 Providing false references. 10 Misrepresenting a military record.
Before Marissa Mayer took over Yahoo,
her predecessor Scott Thompson had to step down as CEOwhen it was revealed that he never actually earned a degree in computer science as he had claimed, and US electronics retailer Radio Shack CEODave Edmonson also had to relinquish his post after being found to have lied about his education and qualifications. Specialists note that digital advances have
allowed for greater scrutiny nowadays of job applications, raising the risks of being caught out lying. AOL Jobs contributor and career coach
expert Miriam Salpeter has referred to the “paradox” of résumé lying –the worst-case scenario is that you get the job. Eventually you will be found out, which is why career experts strongly discourage job seekers from trying to cut a corner to get ahead.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56