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Applying for jobs/CV advice etc
Having dealt with so many CV's and interactions over the last two days, there were some major noticeable trends across the board. So I thought I'd write up some of the things which stood out and my advice on them
Applying for jobs/CV advice etc
Having dealt with so many CV's and interactions over the last two days, there were some major noticeable trends across the board. So I thought I'd write up some of the things which stood out and my advice on them
Nothing here is new, not am I claiming to be an expert with any of these things, it's just my take on it all. Will post some resources at the end for anyone who wants further help
1. Attention to detail - messaging, email, CV. It's important for the role so take more care with the finer details in the application process
2. Attention to detail - if the application doesn't ask for a cover letter, I sure as hell don't want one sent as an opening intro on twitter
3. Attention to detail - if there's a deadline, then there's a deadline. It's not an hour later or the next day. If you really want the job, find the time and get an application in.
4. CV file - Name your CV to include your ACTUAL NAME, it's a nightmare knowing who is who between 'CV', 'CV', 'CV (1)', and 'CV 2020 résumé'
5. File type - fuck word documents. Save as a pdf, so much easier to view quickly and transfer around.
6. If you don't have a CV, why do you expect to get the job? If you're too lazy to out together your experience and qualifications onto a piece of paper, how can I expect you to work hard and do a good job in the role?
7. Length of CV - I don't really want to have to read 2 pages, let alone 4.
8. Formatting - sending a CV with a full empty page at the bottom just screams laziness to me. And don't just leave one small section at the top of a page, fit it in somehow or get rid of it
9. On that, widen the margin, use columns
10. Personal preference - personal profiles are a waste of time for the most part, no one is going to say they're not hard-working and dedicated. Quick outline, then onto the details in the rest of the CV
11. Experience - I couldn't care less if you did a paper round when you were 14 if you have adequate experience
12. Put your experience and education in reverse chronological order
13. Try to include something that you measurably made a change to during your experience at wherever. Job requirements are fine, but show me how you actually made a difference.
14. If you haven't got any experience yet, what's your excuse? There are thousands of coaching positions for you to gain experience ACTUALLY coaching. I would much prefer a candidate with a 3rd but tons of coaching experience, rather than someone with a 1st but no coaching
15. Again personal preference, but I fucking hate bars or % showing how good you perceive your own abilities to be at a certain task or skill
16. Education - if you've got a master's and/or degree, then I'm not too bothered about what grade you achieved in GCSE Drama
17. Qualifications - should be easily visible, no one should have to go searching through your CV to find them. If you're S&C - accreditation, Sport Sci - BASES etc., Coach - badges. Make it easy for the person hiring.
18. Qualifications - don't put anything on your CV that you haven't actually completed yet. Nothing worse than filling space with 'XYZ (to be completed 2020)'
19. Minor qualifications - cherry on top. Should be separate from main qualification. Ultimately though with the amount of free/cheap education that is available nowadays nobody shouldn't have any on their CV
20. If you're going to include your interests in your CV, at least make them interesting. Your life doesn't have to revolve around S&C
21. References - I'm torn between putting them in or not. Always a sneaking suspicion in the back of my mind that you're trying to make up for something lacking if you include them in there. That may just be because I'm cynical though.....
With all that being said, I received some really excellent CV's, and received some CV's from people who definitely have a big future in the industry, which is exciting to see.
In terms of resources, @SportSupportCVs is a great starting point of you want some deeper feedback on your CV. @Walshy2123 was a massive help to me before I moved to SG
@StrengthCoachN1 from @RUGBY_STR_COACH is another excellent resource, not just for education but also help and guidance when it comes to CV and job applications
@Coach_BrettB recent podcast with @moserst12 is an excellent listen too, probably slightly more guided towards the US audience, but with some excellent takeaways
As I mentioned, I will get back to everyone who applied for the role in Spain with some feedback in time. Feel free to reach out too for a chat even if you didn't apply for the role
