CV Writing: The Art of Preparing A CV

The art of preparing a CV need not be as tedious or as overwhelming as you may feel that it is. It is understandable that to the person faced with finding a job or with getting him or herself promoted, the very act of putting together the document which is supposed to sell you to your potential employer can feel overwhelming, or even impossible.

This need not be the case. A good rule of thumb when writing a CV is to break it down into 'bitesized parts'. Think of the various aspects that you need to put a good CV together. You need a cover letter, you need a short CV for faxing, and you need a longer, more detailed CV. The longer, detailed CV can be broken down even further. You might want to include a photograph in that CV. You are going to want to include your personal information, your education and your working history. You can look at things like community involvement and other notale things that you have done to make your CV noteworthy.

Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when preparing your CV is something which actually doesn't pertain directly to you. It's the job specification. You might have come across a job specification which you know you comply 100% with, and you send your CV off in great hope, only to get a rejection, or worse, nothing, back. And you ask yourself what has gone wrong. Have you considered that even though you know you comply, your CV may not address the points that will show that you comply with that specific job specification? In other words, you may have done both adminstration and graphic design in your previous careers, but if you are applying now for a graphic design job, sending in a CV which talks mainly about administration probably will not get you the job. If you try, and simply keep on failing, it is wise to consult with a professional CV writing service.

To summarise: Break your CV and cover letter down into bite sized chunks, and ensure that it is relevant to the position that you are applying for. If you do not achieve success, it is wise to consult with a professional CV writing service.

CV Writing and Job Preparedness Training

I will be presenting CV Writing and Job Preparedness Training on 21 May at 10:00 at St Giles Home for the Physically Disabled in 11th Avenue in Dewetshof, Johanesburg on 21 May at 10:00. Some of the proceeds will go to the home. Seats are going fast, so you need to book TODAY on 083 442 4689 or gaynorpay@gmail.com

I will be conducting training on the above topics with fully indepth courses on both subjects covering subjects such as

- how to prepare your CV
- what information to include
- how to write your cover letter
- body language
- references
- researching the company
- preparing for the job interview

Catering by the fantastic The Local Chef - not to be missed!!! Cost - R150.

We will have skype and online conference room functionality availabiity for those who cannot be there in person, and this will be charged at R75 per person.

16 Days of Activism - Fight the Abuses in Your Life

My friend Damaria Senne asked me to participate in her blog party for the 16 Days of Activism against women and child abuse, and place particular emphasis on the fact that I have my own transcription business. Damaria is suggesting that if a woman who is in a position of being abused is able to work for herself and therefore create employment for herself, she may be able to change the situation of her abuse and perhaps get out of it.

Now, I’m not going to say that I’m writing from a position of experience. I usually do like to write from my own experience. But in this case, thankfully, I’m not. However, as a child, I was twice in a position where men tried to abuse me. Nothing came of it, but I was in a threatening situation and I didn’t like it. The other day somebody told me that he was in a similar position, and it profoundly impacted his life even though he didn't actually get abused - that feeling of fear and complete vulnerability was enough to strip him of all his dignity, and all his trust, and although I haven't explored it fully, I think that is possibly true of me too. I think it is potentially this that has made me sensitive to the needs of abused women and children in today’s society.

It is for this reason – that I want to make a difference to people’s lives – that I serve on the committee of my local residents association, the I Love Kensington Association (ILKA). In September of this year the ILKA committee was approached by Ivan Jardine of the AIDS Army for assistance in a project that he was organising - The Flame of Hope and Healing - whereby blankets were to be crocheted and presented to children affected by HIV and Aids together with a special message of hope. Ivan’s words to me were that he wants to teach abused children that there are ways in which they can fight the abuses in their lives. So, of course, I was sold on helping in this project.

The project culminated in a showdown event on 4th of December 2010. Over 800 blankets in total were collected - 67 were made and donated by Diepkloof Prison. 250 children affected by Aids or HIV were present on the day and each received a blanket with a special message of love and hope. The overwhelming message given to them on the day was that they could fight the abuses in their lives – with love given to them by others, but also by the strength and abilities that they have themselves.

So I came away from this day thinking about this message, and thinking about the blog post Damaria had asked me to write and it occurred to me that an abused woman could begin to fight the abuses in her life by taking the first steps against it. It is possible that that step could be starting to work from home. Abused women come from all walks of life; all societies and all levels of affluence, and abusers in some situations like to keep control by not letting the woman go out to work or to visit friends, etc, etc. If that woman has access to the internet or to a computer, she could start up as a transcriptionist and it is here where a mentor or a forum such as the Transcriptionists and VAs of South Africa (TAVASA) which has been set up to assist newbies coming into our industries could come in useful – someone to answer questions and assist. Working for yourself could mean the first step towards financial independence, and the first step out of your situation of abuse. Anybody who wants to contact me privately in this regard is more than welcome to do so and I will do whatever I can to assist – gaynorpay@gmail.com.

William and Kate

Typewrite Transcription wishes Prince William and Kate Middleton all the very best in their marriage! Congratulations!!!! And while the world waits in anticipation for this young couple to marry, I want to remind you that, like marriage, a relationship with a client, like any other, needs to be worked on.

Without communication, no relationship can work to its best. Communicate with your clients, keep them in the know about what you are doing, build up a relationship of trust by sticking to doing what you say you are going to do, by meeting your commitments, by honouring and respecting each other.

And if William and Kate uphold these values in their relationship, chances are not much will go wrong!! Good luck, guys!

Training: Be properly trained on the systems you use

An issue I have been giving much consideration to in recent weeks is the time that a person can save in their business if they have official training on the systems and platforms they are using to run their businesses.

There's no doubt about the fact that the face of marketing a business has changed in recent times. If a business is not on the Big Three - Twitter, Linked In and Facebook - it just isn't keeping up with the times and with the needs of its clients and potential clients, as well as with the activities of its competitors. But let's face it, without proper training from experienced users of these platforms, they can be daunting to the startup business owner or person trying to break into the business world.

You probably know how to use email but you might not know how to write an email in a professional, business like manner - or how to post relevant and business related topics across the many social networks that form a part of today's business world. The way you present yourself in business is directly indicative of the success you are likely to have in your business, and so a professional and courteous manner is essential in all aspects.

In Training SA is a community minded company with an eye to developing individuals and corporates, that provides up to date, relevant training on these as well as other topics in order to help you:

- Improve your skills

- Enter the business world

- Maintain a professional presence in social media

- Upskill your employees in both the domestic and professional arena

You can click here for the current training schedule and contact intrainingsa@gmail.com for further information.