The CV Confidence Coach Podcast | CV Writing Tips | CV Tips | Lis McGuire | Giraffe CVs: Recent Episodes
Lis McGuire | The CV Confidence Coach | Professional CV Writer | Founder of Professional CV Writing Service Giraffe CVs | Recommended by Guardian Careers as one of the top 10 Twitter accounts to follow for careers advice, March 2014
If you need a compelling, interview-winning CV to achieve your career goals, then The CV Confidence Coach podcast is for you. Join Lis McGuire, professional CV writer and founder of Giraffe CVs, for a weekly podcast jam-packed with CV writing tips and advice. Each week Lis shares proven and simple strategies to help you craft a compelling CV which increases career confidence, optimises your professional visibility and opens interview doors. Giraffe CVs was recommended by Guardian Careers as one of their top 10 Twitter accounts for careers advice, March 2014.
This week, discover how biscuits can improve your CV. Really!
Also - big news! I have just published my first book on Amazon Kindle. It's called 'Ace Your CV, Elevate Your Career: A Five-Step System to Increase Career Confidence, Build Professional Visibility and Open Interview Doors' and you can download it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IDLQT9S
How do you know if your CV is good or not? This week's podcast examines five sources of CV feedback.
In your job search, do you ever feel that you are taking part, but not really competing? If so, you may have fallen into the easy trap of being a contestant, when your heart’s true desire is to be a contender.
This week's podcast covers how to change that.
When it comes to applying for a role, you are very likely to email your application. If you do, you’ll need to write a cover email, attaching relevant documents, such as your CV and cover letter. Faced with this final hurdle before you hit the send button, you may ask yourself:
- What should I actually write in my cover email?
- Should the content of my cover email duplicate my cover letter and, if so, should I still attach my cover letter?
- How can I make the most of this opportunity and make a positive first impression?
This podcast has the answers!
Tune in to discover the two questions that can cut right to the heart of your experience, helping you to create a gripping, page-turning career story.
The 2000-character LinkedIn summary section can strike fear into the heart of the bravest of job seekers. Stifled by the fear of professional embarrassment and good old-fashioned writer's block, countless members leave their summary blank.
If your LinkedIn summary is terrifying you, tune in to discover why you should complete it, what you should write about, and tips to ace this all-important LinkedIn section.
The job of proofreading your CV is a crucial one. This week's podcast shares tips to help you achieve a methodical and thorough job.
Have you ever considered writing a blog to support your job search and career goals?
A blog can act as the interview before and after the interview, allowing you to set out your stall at leisure and position yourself as a must-hire candidate. Writing a blog can develop your reputation as a subject matter expert, and as a candidate with true interest and motivation in your desired field. It's truly worth the effort.
A blog can be a powerful differentiator, helping you stand out from the crowd. As Wayne Dyer said, "It's never crowded along the extra mile", and this is especially true in relation to blogging.
This podcast outlines the benefits of blogging for jobseekers, how to blog, what to blog about, and tips to ace your new blog.
Are you thinking that a personal website is beyond your reach? A step too far? Too time-consuming, too costly, too technical?
Think again.
This week's podcast explains the benefits of a personal website and how to go about creating one.
In this week's podcast, I share five online tools to support and enhance your job search. They are:
- PhotoFeeler
- Dropbox
- Google Alerts
- WiseStamp
- Canva / PicMonkey
Should you write 'Seeking new opportunities' in your LinkedIn headline?
Tune in to find out the pros and cons of this approach, then discover how to ace your LinkedIn headline, and nail your first impression.
Find out about three different CV formats (chronological, skills-based, hybrid) and discover why you shouldn't use one of them.
Tune in for a seven-step guide to auditing and enhancing your online presence, ensuring your search results work for, not against you.
Do you feel a little embarrassed or just unsure about proclaiming your current professional status to the world at large?
If so, this podcast is for you.
Tune in to find out why you should own it and rock it.
I imagine that most of us have had one, a worst job ever.
Here's four lessons I managed to take away from mine!
When you submit your CV, providing it doesn't immediately rule you out, it's highly likely that someone will check you out online.
This week's podcast looks at how you can take charge of your search results and improve your credibility online.
Words are the main ingredient for your CV, and your choice can make your CV either weak or wow.
In this week's episode, The CV Confidence Coach shares five types of word you should avoid for a wow CV.
How you present yourself directly affects how others perceive you. You actually have an incredible power to change their minds and tell them a new story, one based on your hopes and desires.
This is vital in a job search scenario, especially one where you are looking to up-level your career. You need to clearly signpost your intentions. If you don’t, you’ll be whispering your dreams to an audience of one, and that will be you.
Everyone has a back story, right? But, does the recruiter or hiring manager need to read about it on your CV?
It depends.
Tune in to find out the five signs you need to edit your career back story.
Facebook have recently unveiled five new profile changes which could have a big impact on how members are perceived online.
Tune in to discover what the changes are, and how to use them in your job search.
Are you revealing more than you should in online communities?
This week's podcast looks at the risks of oversharing in social media groups and online forums, helping you to safeguard your reputation online.
Tune in to discover why including a photo on your UK CV is not a good idea, and what you should do instead.
Are you a jobseeker who is having a serious case of the motivational wobbles?
This week's podcast features seven tips to help you rediscover your job search mojo.
Would someone who decides to search for you on LinkedIn, having read your CV, be able to quickly identify your profile from the search results? Once they have clicked through, would they be clear and confident that the profile relates to one and the same person presented by the CV?
Not sure? Log out of your LinkedIn account and conduct a search for your name, as presented on your CV. If the above rings true, I’d recommend that you address the issue.
This week's podcast outlines why.
If you are keen to optimise your LinkedIn profile, and use the platform to your advantage, then why not order LinkedIn Explained? This easy-to-follow eBook guide shares proven strategies and tips to help you build a strong presence on LinkedIn, supporting your professional credibility and career goals.
Whether you intend to use LinkedIn to search for a new job, would like offers to come to you, or would like to build and maintain your network; this book will help.
Buy now for $14 (about £9 plus VAT), and pay in the currency of your choice. Immediately after your payment has been approved, you will be provided with a link to download this report in PDF format.
Gatekeepers can play a vital role in your job search, determining whether your CV makes the first pass. Or not.
This week's podcast discusses how to treat gatekeepers in your job search, with lessons inspired by a roadblock.
Google Alerts is a handy, free, and powerful tool that can make a big difference to your job search.
Quick to set up, and easy to use, Google Alerts can keep you informed of emerging news in relevant areas, sending updates straight to your inbox. This week's podcast discusses three ways to use Google Alerts in your job search.
Is your LinkedIn background blank? Are you wondering how to fill it? This week's podcast has seven ideas for your LinkedIn background image, with bonus advice on how to source the right image.
Did you know that LinkedIn allocates specific character counts to its profile fields? This week's podcast outlines three specific character counts that you should know to optimise your LinkedIn profile.
You may also be interested to check out Andrew Foote's handy infographic for a full complement of LinkedIn character counts.
Want to find out more about LinkedIn? Order LinkedIn Explained!
If you want to master LinkedIn and use the platform to your advantage, why not order Giraffe CVs' easy-to-follow guide? Click here to order this new eBook, which shares proven strategies and tips to help you build a strong presence on LinkedIn, supporting your professional credibility and career goals.
If you are struggling to identify your personal qualities and capture them on your CV, then I’d recommend building a sandcastle. It may seem like a strange suggestion, but tune in to find out why.
A black hole on your CV is an area of your experience that is clouded by uncertainty, shrouded in mystery, and which can cause uneasy wonder.
These black holes can have a negative, consuming impact on the other data you present to market your skills and achievements.
This podcast outlines how to demystify black holes, and discusses how to present a career gap in a positive light.
In this podcast, I interview David Shindler, employability expert, author, career coach, blogger, and speaker.
David’s insights are really helpful to anyone considering a job or career transition. Whether you are a student or graduate seeking to enter the workplace for the first time, looking to change your job or career, return to work after a career break, or achieve a promotion, David has practical advice to support your transition and help you optimise your employability.
Colour can deliver an instant and powerful message about your self-perceived qualities and evoke a lasting memory of your personal brand. Yet colour is often underrated in the job search.
Tune in to find out how to use colour confidently and appropriately on your CV.
You may also be interested in this blog on colour and your CV, which contains relevant links mentioned on the podcast.
Lis McGuire interviews Tony Restell, social recruiting entrepreneur and founder of specialist social media marketing agency Social-hire.com.
Tune in to find out:
How recruiters are sourcing candidates via social media in 2015;
How active candidates should best engage with would-be recruiters on social media;
How passive candidates should best present their social media profiles;
The best social media platforms for candidates to focus their efforts on in 2015;
Dos and don’ts for candidates using social media;
How candidates can engage on social media whilst keeping their job search under wraps.
Lis McGuire interviews House of Colour image consultant and personal brand expert, Jane Lowther, about the power of colour and its impact on your personal brand. Tune in to discover:
- how your personal image can positively or negatively impact your job search;
- how colour can affect how you are perceived;
- how to dress for a face-to-face interview;
- tips for a Skype or video interview;
- how to dress for a telephone interview;
- tips for attire in LinkedIn headshots;
- how to carry your personal brand forward in other areas of presentation.
Over the past week six weeks, I've made some big changes to my LinkedIn profile. This week on the podcast, I talk about the changes I made and the impact this had on my LinkedIn visibility and ranking. Check out my new profile here.
Sometimes, we all need a little inspirational pick-me-up. The right words at the right time can give a mental boost, inspire a positive mindset, and encourage powerful action. This week, Lis shares six of her favourite career quotes to ignite your career mojo.
Stumped for what to say or share on LinkedIn?
This podcast outlines 11 status update ideas, helping you to raise your credibility and visibility on the platform.
Could your CV be leaving money on the table?
For two pages of A4, your CV can have a surprising and lasting impact on your career prospects and earning potential. Assuming that it has done its job, and secured you an interview, there is still a chance your CV isn’t working as hard for you as it might.
What would your CV look like in a parallel universe?
Did a split-second decision determine your current career path?
This week, Lis McGuire mulls over the concept of your career played out in another dimension, determined by a career crossroads or sliding doors moment.
This week I'm delighted to interview the extremely talented Lisa Whalley-Smith of Klarity Marketing. In my very first podcast interview, Lisa shares top tips on building and maintaining your personal brand online using social media platforms.
Whether you are actively searching for a new job, or simply seeking to build your professional profile, this podcast is jam-packed with tips for you.
Connect with Lisa Whalley-Smith on:
Twitter: @lisafromklarity
Instagram: @lisafromklarity
Pinterest: @lisafromklarity
Facebook: /klaritymarketing
LinkedIn: Lisa Whalley-Smith
Ever tempted to rehash your five-year- or decade-old CV?
This week, Lis outlines why your old CV can't and won't reflect your here and now, and why you owe it to yourself to rip it up and start again.
Should you list referees on your CV? Or perhaps write 'references available on request'? Tune in to this week's podcast to find out!
This week's podcast looks at why you should (and how you can) add multimedia elements to your LinkedIn profile.
When writing your CV, sometimes the hardest thing can be knowing where to start. You can stare at a blank Word document for what seems like eternity, devoid of ideas that will turn the shiny white backdrop into a stunning presentation of your credentials and capabilities.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry, help is at hand. I’m going to share nine helpful and potentially overlooked sources of information that can kick-start content creation, setting you on track to achieve a full and compelling CV in no time at all.
You may well have spent hours crafting your CV, but it can make or break your application within just 8.8 seconds. This week's podcast looks at what else can be achieved in under nine seconds, giving you context for this fleeting timespan. Can your CV win over the reader in this time?
Tune in to discover the five factors which are preventing you from writing a great CV, and discover how to overcome them.
Get your spelling and grammar right and you’ll take a huge step towards securing that all-important interview for your next job. Listen in to learn some grammar tips guaranteed to uplevel your CV.
Links:
This article on the Cult of Pedagogy website explains why two spaces after a full stop used to be the norm, but are no longer best practice.
Check out these rules on the capitalisation of job titles.
Here are some observations on the Oxford comma.
The once popular term ‘team player’ is now seen as a hackneyed cliché that you should avoid at all costs when writing your CV.
Despite this, the sentiment it represents – in essence ‘an ability to work effectively with others to achieve common goals’ – is as important as it ever was. Recruiters want to see that you are able to communicate with colleagues in a variety of contexts, and that you have the desirable interpersonal skills needed to link up with others and harness the power of your combined skills and experience.
This paradox can cause some head-scratching when writing your CV. So, how should you use your CV to show that you are a team player, without actually saying you are one?
Read the full transcript here.
Lis McGuire shares practical tools to help you get clear on your career goals and define your next move, BEFORE you start writing your CV.
You’ve written a fantastic CV and covering letter, your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and fully optimised to reflect your current job search, your approach is focused and targeted, and yet you’re still not getting invited to interview.
Sound familiar? Believe it or not, your email address could be talking you out of a job. Why? Listen in to the big three reasons on this week's podcast.
Is your money mindset sabotaging your CV?
Last week, I spent an incredible day learning about money mindset with the fabulous Denise Duffield-Thomas.
Having opened my mind to changing my money beliefs, I wanted to share some thoughts on how our money mindset can limit our opportunities, especially on our CVs.
Listen in to this week's podcast to discover the secrets of managing LinkedIn endorsements in line with your career goals.
When you CTRL ALT DEL your computer, it’s usually because something just isn’t working and you need to shut down the offending task so that you can get back to business as usual.
Do you ever wish you could CTRL ALT DEL your career? You’re not alone. Sometimes we hit a point where we feel frozen – the human equivalent of ‘Not responding’ – or a particular aspect of our job stops running smoothly.
If your career is suddenly at a standstill or you want to find a direction that’s a better fit, then it’s time to press CTRL ALT DEL and reboot your professional operating system.
This week's podcast mentions Giraffe CVs' free CV review service.
Nature teaches some of the best lessons. Tune in to discover what you can learn from the giraffe which can be applied to writing your CV.
This week, the CV Confidence Coach outlines some handy dos and don'ts of presenting dates on your CV.
The CV Confidence Coach talks through a graduate CV as submitted for a free CV review, and actions subsequently taken to improve it.
Ever wondered about the best choice for your CV file name? This week's CV Confidence Coach podcast has the answers!
This week, The CV Confidence Coach shares 15 top tips on how to optimise your internship.
As we plan our New Year celebrations, reflecting on the highs and lows of 2014 and looking forward to the year ahead of us, let’s briefly reflect on the nine career resolutions we should all aim to keep in 2015.
Click here to read my blog on the same subject, this features links to relevant posts mentioned in the podcast.
Happy new year!
Just like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, you will be visited by three spirits in this podcast, each with their own personal insight to share on your career past, future, and yet to come.
If you enjoy this, you may also like to read my blog on the same subject.
Just for fun, this week's podcast outlines what Santa might write on his CV.
You may also enjoy our recent infographic: Santa’s (s)elf-help guide to creating a CV that is poles apart.
The next podcast will be published on 31 December 2014. Merry Christmas!
How should you ideally present your own business on your CV? It really depends on the target you have in mind. Before putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard, consider what it is that your target audience will most want to see.
This week's podcast outlines a few potential areas of focus you may have as a business owner writing your CV, along with some tips to help you optimise your CV presentation.
You may also be interested to read my blog on the subject.
Enjoy!
How to present temporary or contract work on your CV to bolster your confidence, employability, and get your CV on to the recruiter’s ‘yes’ pile.
By highlighting three of the issues I’ve heard my customers raise about featuring temporary work on their CV, I can show you how to turn concerns around and use your experience gained through temporary roles to your advantage.
Are you a long-serving employee seeking a new job outside of your current company?
Listen to these nine CV tips to present yourself as a dynamic and desirable candidate, rather than one who is seen as insipid and institutionalised.
Read the original blog at http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/institutionalised/.
Are you considering featuring projects on your CV? If so, you may be wondering:
How much should I really say about my project work?
What kind of detail should I ideally include?
Is it ok to share this kind of information?
And what should I do if I can't state specifics?
This week The CV Confidence Coach talks through these issues and gives some top tips on making the most of tangible project examples on your CV.
Having outlined what NOT to do with your LinkedIn photo, this week The CV Confidence Coach talks about her new LinkedIn photo and shares top tips from John Starns Photography on how to achieve the best result.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if it wasn’t just you, on your lonesome, looking out for your career and its progression? Imagine if you had a highly trained crack team, pumped and ready to fast track your career onwards and upwards through the stratosphere. Shall I let you into a secret? You do.
The people you need to move your career on and up are actually very present all around you. They are ready and waiting for your call. All you need to do is activate them, and act as the guiding point to help them move together to achieve your goals.
So who are they?
Join CV Confidence Coach, Lis McGuire, as she takes a look!
With Halloween fast approaching, The CV Confidence Coach talks you through 10 scarily bad LinkedIn profile images that are the stuff of nightmares. Listen in to find out the images you should avoid at all costs, and check them out here in Lis' rogues' gallery:
http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/linkedin-profile-pictures/
When was the last time you looked at your CV with fresh eyes?
Is it looking a little tired and thrown together?
Does it need a little ‘zhoosh’ to make it flow and draw the recruiter’s gaze to all the right places?
Yes? Then try these seven simple formatting hacks from The CV Confidence Coach.
The CV Confidence Coach talks through seven card shark strategies to help you ace your CV.
This week, The CV Confidence Coach discusses the most common five reasons people shy away from featuring their LinkedIn profile on their CV, and advises on how to overcome the issues behind them.
If you struggle with quantifying achievements on your CV, then this podcast episode is ideal for you!
Many people realise that they really should quantify their achievements, but have no idea how to go about it.
Help is here. Follow these simple steps to add some substance to your CV today.
Being a jobseeker seeking a coveted role in your ideal company could be likened to being a One Direction (1D) fan or, indeed, any fan.
With this in mind, in this week's podcast, The CV Confident Coach chats about the four lessons that jobseekers can learn from a 1D fan.
A job search without a clear goal can be the equivalent of a day trip without a map.
Listen to this podcast to discover why it's important to define clear goals in your job search and career as a whole.
This week, The CV Confidence Coach discusses the wide range of creative CV options available to present your professional skills and credentials in an eye-catching way. She also discusses her personal take on whether a creative CV is a good idea.
Show links are noted below.
Giraffe CVs on Pinterest:
Examples of infographic, design, and creative CVs are featured on Giraffe CVs' Pinterest board at
http://www.pinterest.com/GiraffeCVs/infographicdesigncreative-cvs/
Examples of unusual CVs are featured on Pinterest at:
http://www.pinterest.com/GiraffeCVs/unusual-cvs/
Lis' own creative CV is available at: http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/prezume/
When should you quickly update your CV and when should you simply tear it up and start again?
This week, The CV Confidence Coach discusses when a quick update will suffice and when a more comprehensive rewrite of your CV is needed.
Returning to the podcast's core topic of writing your CV, this week The CV Confidence Coach talks about what is for many the most dreaded part of their CV, the CV profile. Lis McGuire talks about why you need a CV profile, what makes a bad CV profile and how to make sure yours is the best it can be.
Being asked to apply for your own job can feel like a real kick in the teeth.
The CV Confidence Coach outlines a five-step plan to help you to turn the situation around.
Follow the steps to create the mindset you need to submit a powerful application that positions you at your best.
In this week's podcast, The CV Confidence Coach talks about the benefits of tracking your job search, and discusses what elements are useful to track. The podcast also covers some high and low tech tools you can use to track your job search.
More information on the topic can be found at http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/track-your-job-search/
Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If so, are you leveraging the power of LinkedIn recommendations? This kind of social proof can truly work wonders for your career prospects, but you may be wondering how to get started. In this podcast, the CV Confidence Coach gives answers to the the 5Ws of LinkedIn recommendations:
Why do you need LinkedIn recommendations?
Who should you ask for LinkedIn recommendations?
When should you and shouldn’t you ask for LinkedIn recommendations?
Where should you display LinkedIn recommendations?
What should you say when requesting a LinkedIn recommendation?
This week, The CV Confidence Coach considers the seven deadly sins of job hunting: greed, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, wrath and pride.
Are you guilty of any of these vices in the context of your job search?
If you enjoy this podcast, you may also be interested to read Giraffe CVs' recent blog on the subject: http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/seven-deadly-sins-of-job-hunting/
Thanks for listening!
Lis McGuire, The CV Confidence Coach, chats about what targeting your CV means in practical terms, when you should target your CV and how to achieve a targeted CV that really speaks to your target recruiter.
With graduates far and wide packing up their studies and embarking on their career journey, competition is likely to be stiff for graduate roles.
With this in mind, presenting the best possible version of your graduate CV is more important than ever.
This week, The CV Confidence Coach podcast discusses nine career-boosting changes graduates can make to their CV.
Have you ever wondered how you can use social media to secure your next role? The CV Confidence Coach discusses how you should and shouldn't present yourself on social media, and how you can engage with target organisations to get noticed for the right reasons.
What are keywords?
Why are they important to your CV?
How can you work out which ones to use?
Then, once you've decided on your keywords, how should you use them on your CV?
Listen in to The CV Confidence Coach's latest podcast to find out the answers!
Your two-page CV needs to say a lot in relatively few words, so choosing the right words is essential. This week The CV Confidence Coach talks about ten power verbs that Giraffe CVs frequently use on CVs.
Should you or shouldn't you feature your hobbies and interests on your CV? The debate continues to rage, and in this week's podcast I discuss my personal take on the issue.
A cover letter can make or break your application for a desirable job. This week, The CV Confidence Coach podcast looks at how to write a great cover letter that will engage the reader and ensure your CV gets read.
Scrutinising your CV before the recruiter does is a great way to make sure your content is as strong as it possibly can be.
This week, Lis McGuire, The CV Confidence Coach, outlines how asking two very simple questions ('So what?' and 'Says who?') can make all the difference to what you say on your CV and how you say it.
Join Lis McGuire, the CV Confidence Coach as she discusses why it is a really bad idea to lie on your CV and some of the most common lies candidates include on their CV.
This week's podcast focuses on what is often regarded as one of the trickiest elements of CV writing: the profile section. Lis McGuire, The CV Confidence Coach, explains what the CV profile is, why it is so important and how to go about writing one.
If you think you are nearly there with your CV, then the CV Confidence Coach's CV sanity checklist is for you.
This week's podcast will give you food for thought to shape and perfect your CV content before hitting the send button.
For more questions please view Giraffe CVs' blog at http://www.giraffecvs.co.uk/cvsanitychecklist/
Lis McGuire, The CV Confidence Coach, shares her insight on the ideal CV length and explains why two pages is plenty when writing your CV. Lis outlines common CV space eaters which cause CVs to run over the recommended two-page limit. Finally she shares strategies on how to prioritise the information you are including on your CV.
A CV is a vital part of your career toolkit, an essential document to position yourself for future success.
This week's podcast outlines the benefits of using a great CV and explains why a mediocre CV just will not do.
Join Lis McGuire, the CV Confidence Coach as she discusses why so many people have bad CVs, the consequences of having a bad CV and the BIG benefits of having a great CV.