How to Write a Killer Contractor CV

How to Write a Killer Contractor CV This article is sponsored by Nixon Williams, specialist accountants to  contractors, freelancers, consultants and interim professionals throughout the UK. As a professional you have probably written and re-written a CV (curriculum vitae) more times than you can count, but re-writing your CV for contracting purposes is a little different. A basic CV usually includes an introduction about yourself, your education and previous experience, with a small statement about your references. This typical way of writing a CV is perfectly fine when applying for permanent jobs, but as a contractor you are likely to need a bit more of an edge, so as to beat the competition. A common way of finding a contract is through recruitment agencies or existing business contacts, but whatever method you choose you will be competing against other contractors for the position. So what can you do to stand out? The first steps. Firstly, make sure that your best skills are prominently featured at the top of your CV; this could be in an effective but concise summary. Most recruiters make up their mind about a CV in seconds, so it is essential that it catches their attention. You want to ensure that the message you are communicating is clear, concise and to the point. No one wants to read sentence after sentence of padding information. Previous work structure. Before we go any further, you need to be able to tailor and adjust your CV to suit the company you are applying for a contract with. A generic one-version copy of your CV won’t portray a tailored feel when reading, and by doing this you may be discarded for the position in mind. Wherever applicable you should try and include either the name of the company, the position and the department; this can be time consuming however, it could help you secure the contract. Your most recent contract positions should have the greatest emphasis, including the dates of contract length; and a little tip is to not state ‘to present’ when mentioning the length of your previous contractors.  Most hirers are looking for someone who can start immediately and stating when you completed your last contract or a predicted completion date will show the recruiters your availability. Another tip is, to ensure that older contracts are summarised as opposed to containing too much detail, this will save document space, as most do not need an extensive description. I’m new to contracting â€" What should I include? You may be asking yourself, ‘I’m new to contracting and don’t have any previous contracting experience, so what can I include?’ Just because you have yet to gain contracting experience, does not mean that your CV has to be a skeleton; there are ways of communicating your skills, through other means than your non-existing contracting experience. Clearly state the previous permanent jobs you’ve had, but instead of compiling a description of what you did, include the skills that your permanent positions have given you, which make you a viable contractor. Identifying what makes you a valued contractor should allow for a smoother transition from permanent to contracting. The importance of structure. In order to ensure that you are not mistaken for having separate employment positions, for each contract state your limited company as your employer, which will allow you to show your previous contracts as external consultancy work. The structure of you CV should include: Career overview Specialist skills Qualifications Education As a contractor you are not advertising yourself in a ‘here’s what I’ve done’ way, but more in a ‘here’s what I can offer’ way. It is more likely that you’ll win contracts if you outline exactly what you can provide for the position. The recruiter will be looking for exactly what skills you can contribute to their project, and although your past experience and achievements are relevant, it doesn’t help them with the current project at hand. Grammar, grammar and more grammar! A simple thing, which more people than you’d expect forget to do, is proof read. Spelling and grammar is key when writing a CV, these fundamentals if not done correctly can place you in the ‘No’ pile. Just think, would you hire someone if there were spelling and grammar mistakes? Correct formatting, layout, legibility and presentation are other key components to a killer CV. Putting your mark on it. Whilst including a portrait of yourself is frowned upon, there is another way for the hirer to get to know you a little more. Including a QR code on the top corner of your CV, which links to a professional web page or a LinkedIn page will portray an innovative edge. Even if you are unfortunate in obtaining the contract, they may wish to connect with you on LinkedIn, which will help build your network. The final preparations Most people miss out this step and give it a once over just to be done with it, however you should always, always get your CV checked by someone else. They may be able to pick up grammatical, formatting and even spelling errors that you have missed. Having a fresh pair of eyes can be a revelation on a piece of written work, as you yourself have become too familiar with it, which could result in missed fundamental errors. By skipping this step you are leaving yourself to be open to scrutiny through such errors, which could affect the chances of your CV being discarded for the position in mind. Following these simple steps will ensure that your CV stands out from the rest, and could land you that dream contract. Author: Rachel Smith is a technical writer for Nixon Williams. When she is not writing for Nixon Williams she loves to visit art exhibitions and watch classic films.

So You Want To Sue Your Boss...

So You Want To Sue Your Boss... These days, employees have more power over their higher-ups than ever before. If you’re the victim of discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, sexual harassment, or any other kind of offense that your boss can commit, there are now many resources and organizations you can use to take legal action against an employer. If you’ve decided you want to get even with your boss over something, then you need to make sure you go about it the right way. Here are a few pointers for mounting a lawsuit against your employer. Documentation First of all, write your complaints down rather than simply bringing them to your superiors verbally. When their rights have been breached, a lot of people think the best thing to do is to complain, report things or request them orally to the highest echelons of their business. In an ideal world, you’d be able to call HR and tell them about some discrimination you’ve been experiencing, and they’d take action. Or you’d notice a hazard you’re being exposed to, tell your supervisor about it, and they’d get right on it. If they don’t follow it up like they should, however, there’s a fair chance that they’ll deny that you ever talked to them about it when it comes up in later legal proceedings. This might sound a little hard to believe, but it happens all the time. However, you can avoid this kind of gray area by sticking to emails and letters rather than phones and in-person conversations. Find The Right Lawyer Next, once you’re 100% certain that you’re going to go ahead with this legal action, make sure you find the right lawyer for the job. Employment law is a very broad niche, and you’ll obviously want an attorney that’s going to get the job done. One of the most important factors you need to consider is how experienced the law firm is with your specific type of case. You’d call Madeksho Law for a benzene attorney, and McKinney for a lawyer specializing in sexual harassment. Once you’ve established that they know what they’re doing, your next step should be to do a little research into the attorney’s performance. How many cases have they won and lost? What has the general experience of their clients been? Unless your side of the case is absolutely irrefutable, the attorney you choose to represent you will make all the difference. Stay Calm Finally, keep a cool head. Obviously, this is a lot easier said than done. You’ve been treated scandalously by your employers and managers for far too long, and now that you’re trying to do something about it you’re finding all kinds of obstacles and complications in your way. As frustrating as your position may be, getting angry will only make it harder for you to get even at a later date. Emotions need to be kept out of the courtroom as much as possible. If it surfaces that you called your boss and screamed a furious rant down the phone at them, it can really hurt the strength of your case. Take a deep breath, keep your eyes on the end goal, and try to look at the situation as objectively as possible. Image credits. Main.   Shake.

Polish off your Christmas shopping this Black Friday

Polish off your Christmas shopping this Black  Friday Black Friday and Cyber Monday may excite you at the thought of cheap brands, or fill you with dread at the thought of queues and scrums. However, you can’t deny that this week of deals gives you the chance to grab some great bargains that will impress your friends and family at Christmas. Just don’t tell them you got their gift cut-price! Whether you’re after a gadget for your brother or a scarf for your granny, most of the big names in UK retail are now in on the sensation that is Black Friday. So get that Christmas list written and check the internet for deal leaks in the build up to this year’s events. Black Friday falls on Friday 27th November 2015, though the sales will kick off from the start of the week both online and in store. Cyber Monday is traditionally the Monday after this date 30th November â€" and is when you can find bargains in online sales. Sites such as Black Friday UK give information on retailers who are participating as well as live updates of the deals they’re offering. Check them out or do your own research in the run up to make sure you are at the front of the queue. It was Amazon who first introduced the UK to the American concept of Black Friday in 2010 and they’re sure to be one of the prime sites (pun intended!) for deals this year. The retail giant will kick off its week of ‘lightning deals’ as the clock strikes midnight on Monday 23rd November. Expect money off Christmas wish-list favourites, which last year included the Kindle Fire HDX 7” and the Dolce Gusto Mini Me Coffee Capsule Machine. Tech is one of the most discounted areas over the Black Friday period. With GAME selling PS4 bundles, such as the console with Grand Theft Auto V plus The Last of Us Remastered and Destiny + Vanguard and a 12 month’s subscription to PlayStation for only £399.99, it’s no wonder 3,600 consoles were sold each hour during their 2014 Black Friday deals. Apple products are always a popular gift choice, but the company last year decided they wouldn’t be offering any incentives to shop on Black Friday. If you’re set on an i-product then keep checking their site, as they may change their mind for 2015. If not, there are plenty of places to get Apple products elsewhere. Last year, John Lewis discounted the iPad Mini by £50 and the iMac and Macbook computers by £100. Big department stores, clothing and homeware retailers â€" in fact, almost anyone big on the high street â€" now also have their hand in. For example, Boots last year had £150 off the £250 Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Black Rechargeable Toothbrush. Some of the best clothing and footwear brands to checkout with include Joules, Clarks, Jack Wills, JD Sports and Ted Baker. If you can get queuing at the door early enough or are nimble on a keyboard then the big department stores John Lewis, MS, House of Fraser and Debenhams could be a one-stop-shop for your entire Christmas list. Black Friday means that there’s no excuse for late Christmas shopping. You could have it all, quite literally, wrapped up before December. One tip:   if you’re buying online, check the viagra delivery date to make sure it’ll be with you in time for Christmas. Image credit: Stephen Butler

Are You Prepared for a Job Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Are You Prepared for a Job Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It doesn’t matter whether you’re a recent college graduate, a systems analyst, or a high-level executive with an annual income of several million dollars. What all people have in common is the need to know how to prepare for a job interview. The reason is that the job interview is nothing less than a contest, whose rules are well-known to participants. There is only one winner, and all the rest are losers. Sorry, this is not the Olympics, where there are indeed three winners. Meeting for the first time Before I meet with a new client for the first time, I ask the person to forward to me a résumé and job description of the position the client is interviewing for. I study both documents thoroughly so that we won’t waste time on that while we’re together. For the first session, I ask my clients to come to my office dressed as if the meeting were a real job interview. It gives them an opportunity to hear an unbiased evaluation of the impression they’d make when meeting someone for the first time. Nobody else can do that: not a spouse, another family member, or a friend. My comments are professional, friendly, and very honest. They give clients the chance to make adjustments before the real and coveted interview, if needed. Next, with my client’s permission, I videotape the client for about 90 seconds while I ask three common interview questions. Subsequently, with the speaker on mute and while watching the recording, I voice my opinion almost unedited to share with my client the impression the client made while interviewing on camera. This part is very important, because the first impression is the lasting one, and it’s difficult to change itâ€"especially after the damage has already been done. Practicing mock interviewing All of my coaching sessions last three hours at minimum. Before we start working together, I need to fully understand the person’s specific, individual circumstances. Listening to my clients’ stories takes time, but those stories are very valuable, and the time invested is well spent; I don’t watch the clock like a doctor who needs to see three patients an hour. Then we start practicing mock interviewing. We start with “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses,” “Why do you want to work for us,” and “What do you know about us.” We then go on to more-difficult questions such as “Aren’t you overqualified [or underqualified],” “Why are you having such a lengthy job search,” and so on. We practice answers for these for about two hours. The value I provide my clients lies in explaining what’s actually behind the asked question. In other words, what is the interviewer really looking for, and what is he testing the candidate for by means of these questions. Asking interview questions is easy. Understanding what’s being tested is harder, but once understood, the answer is no longer difficult to produce. Remember that practice makes perfect.

How Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Impacts Executive Job Search - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

How Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Impacts Executive Job Search

Job Search Spring Cleaning

Job Search Spring Cleaning Happy Spring! Its time to spring into action and add some news strategies to your job search campaign. Here are a few things to try.1. Go around the gatekeeper. If you find an open position through a job board or company website, don’t only submit your resume to human resourcesâ€"theyre often gatekeepers who dont have much control over who ends up getting hired. Instead, go around the gatekeeper and do some Internet research to find the hiring manager or other decision maker and market your candidacy directly to them rather than being one of the “sheep” using the job boards. 2. Cybersleuth your way to decision makers. Perform keyword searches for companies, job title, etc. on Google and LinkedIn to see if you can find someone in your network connected to the company you want to get into or to request an introduction. And use the Company Buzz feature on LinkedIn to track who is talking about that company. Or check out Jigsaw to source company contact information including phone numbers and email addresses for a nominal feel. 3. Become a stalker (sort of). Once you find people who are connected to the industries and companies you are interested in, do some research to find out more about them. Do they belong to certain professional associations or the local golf club or do they attend events for certain charities? Perhaps you should be in those professional and social circles too…and maybe you could “serendipitously” meet them at an event. 4. Tweet your stuff. Twitter is not about telling everyone what you had for lunch. It is about creating authentic and consistent messaging about who you are and what you know. Set up a profile (it’s easy and free) and start “tweeting” about things related to your professional expertise. Share links to articles that are relevant for the types of people you are trying to attract and give shout outs to others by “re-tweeting” information from them that you think others could benefit from. Use Twitter Search to find other people with common interests and professions that you should be following. 5. Research industries and job functions that are trending up. Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn more about industries and job functions predicted to experience growth over the next decade. For example, last year, four major industries had more job growth than the previous year. Education grew 38%, hospitality grew 20%, retail grew 17%, and real estate grew 4%. The 10 fastest growing opportunities of 2009 were in technology positions for applications such as Twitter, Cloud Computing, iPhone, Facebook. Other positions trending upward were Corporate Social Responsibility Expert, Blogger, Pediatrician, Hospitalist, Social Media Expert, and Speech Language Pathologist. Sites such as Indeed, Vault, Glassdoor, Salary.com , and Payscale are also excellent resources for tracking trending industries and job functions.

Expert Resume Writing Tips to Help You With the Job Search

Expert Resume Writing Tips to Help You With the Job SearchYou need expert resume writing tips to make sure that your resume is going to be read. This is because you are the first page people are going to read.Your resume is going to be sending a message to the employer. So it should be written in such a way that it clearly says what you can do for the company. You need to be able to convey to the employer your best qualities, your positive attributes and any other special skills that could help the company.The most important thing to remember when writing a resume is to be concise. So be careful to only put the information that is necessary in the resume. Be as brief as possible and if you have more to say you can always go into more detail. Do not ramble on.Resume writing tips like the one below will help you with the key points to stress on and not stress on the wrong things. This is to give you an advantage when you are writing your resume.o A career objective can be written in th e summary section. There are two types of career objectives: true and false. A true career objective states the goal of the company, while a false one states something irrelevant such as 'to obtain a position with the company.'o A job title can be written on the resume. Also, the start date, end date and department head should be mentioned. Start dates should be as early as possible to attract the employer's attention.o Put in all the job experience that you have in the appropriate sections. The positions should also be spelled out to emphasize the importance of each particular position.Use the expert resume writing tips above to really make your resume shine. If you put in the proper amount of effort, it can really make or break you when you are looking for work. So work hard and get your dream job.