RECRUITMENT GUIDE
Recruitment guide sets out best practice guidelines to assist you in making this process as effective as possible. In addition, our Team is very willing to support you and give further advice should you require it.
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Preparing a winning CV
Take time to read the advice below,
and draft your CV accordingly.
Employers read a CV with a specific
purpose in mind - to find out whether
or not you match the criteria that
they have identified as being important
in the job for which you are applying.
Make it easy for them by presenting
your CV clearly and professionally.
Fudging the evidence, or adding
bells and whistles won't fool anyone
and nor will it impress. But you
do want to present the best you
have to offer in the most effective
way possible, and here's how to
do it .......
There is no need to design a front
page entitled Curriculum Vitae
in large flashing letters. If you've
done your job properly, it should
be pretty obvious that it's a CV!
Your name, in a strong, bold font,
centred at the top of the first
page should be an adequate enough
heading, even for the most fussy
of readers.
Your personal details must be clear
and easily accessible, but don't
include them in the body of your
CV. Many people list full names,
addresses, birth dates, marriage
dates, children's names, childhood
illnesses, expired travel visas
and many other bits of useless
information in their opening paragraph.
This is a definite turn off to
the reader, and uses up the first
of your two precious pages! Extract
only the necessary and tuck it
under your name in small, unobtrusive
print, like the contact details
on a letterhead. Usually the most
important information would be
your contact details, date of birth
and nationality.
Next, under a suitable heading
(say EDUCATION???), enlighten the
reader on your (no doubt) impressive
academic record, starting with
the most recent qualification and
working backwards. Emphasise the
qualification obtained rather than
the institution where you studied
or the dates involved. These are
important, and should also be clearly
shown, but they are of secondary
importance to your achievement.
Also remember that it is the end
result that counts. There is no
point in listing every subject
taken and every grade scored. If
you have done an actuarial degree,
an employer can deduce what subjects
you have taken. If your degree
is in something else, specify the
subjects that would be relevant
to an actuarial position. What
really counts are your final qualifications,
your final results and any highlights
along the way that may make a favourable
impression on the reader.
If you have obtained, or have
a reasonable expectation of obtaining,
any passes or exemptions from
the professional actuarial
exams,
this is the place to mention
it in loud print. These exams
mean more to an actuarial employer
than any number of degrees and
certificates in other subjects,
so exploit whatever you have
to the fullest.
A few personal achievements while at school or university
can be mentioned either in this
section or later in the CV. I
personally like to see them here
as they bring life and character
to the propeller head just described.
Your personal successes reveal
many things about you that your
exam results can't convey (e.g.
head prefect at school will show
that you possess leadership qualities,
or chairperson of student debating
society may illustrate convincing
verbal abilities). Mentioning
these at an early stage ensures
that they get noticed. But don't
go overboard by listing your
involvement in the church choir
or the number of Pokemon cards
in your collection, even if it
was the biggest collection in
the school. Stand back and objectively
decide whether each achievement
listed will really make an impression
on an actuarial employer, or
whether it is just taking up
valuable space that could better
be given to something more important.
Previous work experience (new
heading WORK EXPERIENCE), if
you have any, is an important
part of your CV. The more relevant
it is, the more interested a
potential employer will find
it. But even summer holiday work
counts for something. Once again,
list things chronologically from
most recent to earliest. List
your job title, your employer
and the dates employed (in that
order of importance). Then briefly
summarise your main responsibilities.
The next step is of vital importance,
so listen carefully. ...Now tactfully
extrapolate the skills and lessons
you believe you learned in this
position! This is your one chance
to present subjective material
in a credible manner, as it will
be backed up by your job description.
So do it well and do it thoroughly!
Then move on to the next job
and wow them again.
Then, in case you haven't had
enough of a chance to expound
on your multifaceted skills
base,
the next section (BUSINESS
SKILLS)
provides just such an opportunity.
List relevant skills such as
IT, languages, or any other tangible
skills that may have a bearing
on your career. The less tangible
talents (such as 'teamwork')
will have less of an impact listed
here in isolation, than if you
weave them into the fabric of
your past work experience. So
rather save this section for
cast-in-stone type skills.
If you have any HOBBIES & INTERESTS,
and you still have a bit of spare
page, you may want to mention
these too. This is not a critical
part of your CV, and may be omitted
if you feel that you've already
managed to sell yourself convincingly
enough, but it does add another
dimension to the personality
presented in the CV.
Lastly you need to mention that
you have one or two REFEREES who will vouch for your integrity
and abilities. It is not necessary
to mention them by name at this
point, merely state that they
are available if requested. If
you are shortlisted for the job,
you will be asked to provide
references at this stage.
Now stand back and cast an appraising
eye over your CV. Pretend that
you are an employer - does it
tell you what you need to know,
or are there any glaring gaps
that need further explanation?
Are there any spelling or grammar
mistakes that ruin the impression
of the diligent innovative candidate
you seek? Does it hold your interest
all the way through, or is it
dull and monotone? Do you want
to know more about the person
behind the CV because they might
just be that special someone
you're looking for?
When you can answer No to the
questions that need a no, and
Yes to the questions needing
yes (you figure it out), then
your CV is ready to work for
you. Good Luck!
Still confused? If so, then follow
our step-by-step approach to
preparing a winning CV for the
actuarial market.
Our winning formula of offering candidates and clients a quality
service has led to our rapid expansion. We presently have several
offices strategically positioned throughout the world, where we combine
local knowledge
with the benefits of extensive resources. We are committed to providing
a high quality, individualised recruitment service for every client
and candidate, focusing on the development of long term relationships.
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