Employers concentrate on Candidates who offer a 360 degree 'package'.
Hiring today is not simply about being skilled only in the area which the Job Title relates to.
If your CV/Resume doesn't demonstrate awareness, experience or knowledge that is appropriate to your role and seniority in each (or most) of the following areas, you could be missing out on Interview invitations: 1.
Budgets: One of the most important skills a Candidate should demonstrate is awareness of costs and adding value, especially in the current climate.
If you've suggested a cost-saving idea, or introduced a service which brings in additional revenue, your prospective Employer will be encouraged by your commercial acumen, whichever department you work in.
2.
Speaking: Meetings, Client interaction, getting the most from suppliers or water-cooler moments; whatever the forum, being able to communicate your ideas, persuade Customers, motivate, inspire and explain complex issues is one of the most sought after business skills.
3.
Writing: Around 25% of CVs contain grammatical and spelling mistakes (and that doesn't include acceptable errors if your CV is in English and it's not your first language).
If you can't take the time to check your own Resume before sending it off for a job application, it's unlikely that you'll check any work you produce once employed.
Good writing skills should relate to the reader and effectively convey your point.
Taken together, speaking and writing well are the key foundations of your career development, because they'll enable you to influence colleagues, enhance team spirit, improve productivity and push through management decisions.
4.
Organising and Prioritising: Do you meet deadlines? Are you adept at prioritising your workload? Can you set up effective systems? Make sure your potential Employer knows that you work in a logical way and that you get jobs done in an orderly and timely manner.
Let them know that you understand your responsibilities and that they will be completed efficiently and effectively.
5.
Initiative: Stating that 'It's not my job' is the last thing an Employer wants to hear.
They're looking for Employees who will add value to the Company by making sure things happen.
If you bring new thinking to old ideas, let them know that you accomplish more than others, because you're willing to roll your own sleeves up and work with colleagues to add value beyond the normal job remit.
6.
Public Relations: Do you ever talk to people outside the Company as part of your job? You may interact with Customers, Suppliers, Service-Providers, the Media or Professional Bodies and whilst you may not be required to address an audience of 500, you should be able to handle yourself well.
Let your potential Employer know that you understand the importance of PR and, if you have strong skills in that area, let them know that too.
Combine PR skills with good grooming, to offer a very attractive Employee profile.
7.
Training: Are you the person who your Boss asks to look after the new people, or do you have formal Training/Instructor qualifications? Make sure you get those points over very clearly, because being an Instructor says much more about you than technical ability and knowledge - it conveys good people skills, patience, willingness to set your own work aside to help other progress and more.
Being a Trainer, at any level, is a key skill to highlight.
8.
Interviewing: You may become involved in supporting Human Resources' assessment of potential new Employees.
If they know that you've had experience as an Interviewer, or that you have knowledge which can help determine the most qualified person for a job, you will be in demand because you will be able to enhance their generalist knowledge.
9.
Negotiating: Have you secured amazing purchasing deals for your Employers? Have you renegotiated old deals, to improve terms? If you can demonstrate effective skills in this area, you will be highly desirable.
10.
Energy and Commitment: If you are always willing to give a bit more in everything you do, it will be noticed.
Arriving earlier and/or staying a little later than your colleagues makes a huge difference - but don't think you're fooling anyone if you're using that time to gossip and check your Facebook account.
If you approach your job and your life with a high energy level, you will accomplish more.
These 10 skills are hugely important and if your CV doesn't convey your skills in these areas, then it's time for a re-write.
Don't forget that ALL the Employer knows about you, is what you have written on that piece of paper and it's that piece of paper which has to work hard at getting you an Interview or Offer.
If you've sent the same Resume out 5 times and no-one has invited you to meet them, then it isn't doing its job properly and needs to be changed.
Immediately.
If you don't have the skills needed, then take the time to learn.
Ask your colleagues to teach you, use the internet to research best practice - take the steps needed to develop your knowledge and at the same time you'll enhance your employability.
The world is changing; it's not enough to be 'good at what you do'.
Companies want to hire people who share their values and goals.
If you offer the skills and experience they are looking for and can then enhance your application by demonstrating that you knit with the whole Company, they will focus on you as a Candidate who is worth talking to.
Don't bulk out your CV just to add more content, but do review each section and make sure you grab every opportunity to prove how you contribute to the wider Company.
You'll very quickly convey valuable skills and achievements that will have prospective Employers keen to meet you.
Fiona Betts Betts Recruitment Limited, UK Aviation People, for Aviation Companies
Hiring today is not simply about being skilled only in the area which the Job Title relates to.
If your CV/Resume doesn't demonstrate awareness, experience or knowledge that is appropriate to your role and seniority in each (or most) of the following areas, you could be missing out on Interview invitations: 1.
Budgets: One of the most important skills a Candidate should demonstrate is awareness of costs and adding value, especially in the current climate.
If you've suggested a cost-saving idea, or introduced a service which brings in additional revenue, your prospective Employer will be encouraged by your commercial acumen, whichever department you work in.
2.
Speaking: Meetings, Client interaction, getting the most from suppliers or water-cooler moments; whatever the forum, being able to communicate your ideas, persuade Customers, motivate, inspire and explain complex issues is one of the most sought after business skills.
3.
Writing: Around 25% of CVs contain grammatical and spelling mistakes (and that doesn't include acceptable errors if your CV is in English and it's not your first language).
If you can't take the time to check your own Resume before sending it off for a job application, it's unlikely that you'll check any work you produce once employed.
Good writing skills should relate to the reader and effectively convey your point.
Taken together, speaking and writing well are the key foundations of your career development, because they'll enable you to influence colleagues, enhance team spirit, improve productivity and push through management decisions.
4.
Organising and Prioritising: Do you meet deadlines? Are you adept at prioritising your workload? Can you set up effective systems? Make sure your potential Employer knows that you work in a logical way and that you get jobs done in an orderly and timely manner.
Let them know that you understand your responsibilities and that they will be completed efficiently and effectively.
5.
Initiative: Stating that 'It's not my job' is the last thing an Employer wants to hear.
They're looking for Employees who will add value to the Company by making sure things happen.
If you bring new thinking to old ideas, let them know that you accomplish more than others, because you're willing to roll your own sleeves up and work with colleagues to add value beyond the normal job remit.
6.
Public Relations: Do you ever talk to people outside the Company as part of your job? You may interact with Customers, Suppliers, Service-Providers, the Media or Professional Bodies and whilst you may not be required to address an audience of 500, you should be able to handle yourself well.
Let your potential Employer know that you understand the importance of PR and, if you have strong skills in that area, let them know that too.
Combine PR skills with good grooming, to offer a very attractive Employee profile.
7.
Training: Are you the person who your Boss asks to look after the new people, or do you have formal Training/Instructor qualifications? Make sure you get those points over very clearly, because being an Instructor says much more about you than technical ability and knowledge - it conveys good people skills, patience, willingness to set your own work aside to help other progress and more.
Being a Trainer, at any level, is a key skill to highlight.
8.
Interviewing: You may become involved in supporting Human Resources' assessment of potential new Employees.
If they know that you've had experience as an Interviewer, or that you have knowledge which can help determine the most qualified person for a job, you will be in demand because you will be able to enhance their generalist knowledge.
9.
Negotiating: Have you secured amazing purchasing deals for your Employers? Have you renegotiated old deals, to improve terms? If you can demonstrate effective skills in this area, you will be highly desirable.
10.
Energy and Commitment: If you are always willing to give a bit more in everything you do, it will be noticed.
Arriving earlier and/or staying a little later than your colleagues makes a huge difference - but don't think you're fooling anyone if you're using that time to gossip and check your Facebook account.
If you approach your job and your life with a high energy level, you will accomplish more.
These 10 skills are hugely important and if your CV doesn't convey your skills in these areas, then it's time for a re-write.
Don't forget that ALL the Employer knows about you, is what you have written on that piece of paper and it's that piece of paper which has to work hard at getting you an Interview or Offer.
If you've sent the same Resume out 5 times and no-one has invited you to meet them, then it isn't doing its job properly and needs to be changed.
Immediately.
If you don't have the skills needed, then take the time to learn.
Ask your colleagues to teach you, use the internet to research best practice - take the steps needed to develop your knowledge and at the same time you'll enhance your employability.
The world is changing; it's not enough to be 'good at what you do'.
Companies want to hire people who share their values and goals.
If you offer the skills and experience they are looking for and can then enhance your application by demonstrating that you knit with the whole Company, they will focus on you as a Candidate who is worth talking to.
Don't bulk out your CV just to add more content, but do review each section and make sure you grab every opportunity to prove how you contribute to the wider Company.
You'll very quickly convey valuable skills and achievements that will have prospective Employers keen to meet you.
Fiona Betts Betts Recruitment Limited, UK Aviation People, for Aviation Companies
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