When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Andrew Frazer — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:46:15 GMT

Hi Sidonia,

You are welcome on for the advice!

As i've said in a post a moment ago I think it's best to include only relevant information in your CV as this is what your prospective employer is going to be looking at - not at the fact you had a job in the local newsagents or restaurant or whatever it may have been!

Well done for sticking with your current employer for 11 years - it's a true rarity these days and i'm sure you will find it puts you in good stead when speaking to potential employers as a result!

Kind regards

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Andrew Frazer — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:39:35 GMT

Hi Littlehays,

A decent cover letter or short profile at the beginning of your CV is essential. This is your ideal opportunity to make a good impression as it's the first thing a prospective employer will look at so make it good!

Regards

Andrew

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Andrew Frazer — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:36:41 GMT

Hi Sal,

Although i agree in making your CV stand out i'd suggest using plain white paper as it's a much sharper contrast against black font.

Instead of making an impact with flowery borders and pink font i'd make your knowledge and experience the main reason for standing out from the rest.

Regards

Andrew

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Andrew Frazer — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:33:40 GMT

Hi Doolally,

Ideally a CV should be kept to a maximum of 2 pages. If you have an extensive career history to date i'd give details of the last 10 years worth (if it's veterinary related). Your potential future employer will only be interested in whats relevant to them so they don't need to know if you had a job at Tesco or worked for a Merchant Bank back in 1990.

Hope that helps!

Regards

Andrew

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:11:00 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="sal the 1st"]i used to follow up with a phone call but stopped sending saes because it got too expensive, and also knowing that most practices will lose them anyway![/quote]

Don't bother sending an sae - I rarely use them. By the time I reply I've invariably lost them - and I can happily afford a stamp!

[/quote]

Hehe! I have had some lovely replies via my SAE - including one that put me in touch with my current training provider Granted it didn't get me a placement/job, but the training providers in question do put registered candidates names forward when they know of an SVN position.

I know most places I have worked with don't send 'sorry but you didn't get the job' letters - I wonder if an SAE would promp them to do so??? It's nice to know either way, rather than being on edge waiting for a phone call that may never come!

Gillian, as an employer, does the inclusion of an SAE say anything to you about a prospective employee? Assuming a well written covering letter...

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Sidonia — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:47:51 GMT

[quote user="Doolally"]

How many pages should it be? 1 or 2 max? if you've got an extensive career history how far back should you go, and should it include non VN jobs if we had a previous life before?

[/quote]

How about if being a VN is the only 'proper' job you have had? I have been in my practice since I left school (11years ago ), first as SVN, and now as QVN. I had small jobs whilst at school - would I need to include these?

Thanks for your advise Andrew! I haven't had to write a CV since I was 17, so I'm very rusty there

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:41:29 GMT

[quote user="sal the 1st"]i used to follow up with a phone call but stopped sending saes because it got too expensive, and also knowing that most practices will lose them anyway![/quote]

Don't bother sending an sae - I rarely use them. By the time I reply I've invariably lost them - and I can happily afford a stamp!

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:00:38 GMT

i used to follow up with a phone call but stopped sending saes because it got too expensive, and also knowing that most practices will lose them anyway!

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:57:38 GMT

I always enclose an SAE with a first class stamp on as well, and make a follow up phone call a few days after posting to ensure it has been recieved.

Is this a good thing?

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

littlehays — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:04:16 GMT

i would also suggest writing a decent covering letter, explaining in more detail why you're writing to the employer in question. gives you a chance to sell yourself and expand on the cv

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:43:21 GMT

- use a slighty heavier paper in a slightly different colour (ie cream as apposed to white) heavier paper and different colour will make it stand out. (not pink tho!)

- 2 pages max is best - its a resume not a mills and boon novel

mention jobs outside of nursing it shows you have life experience but you dont need to go into detail

Re: When applying for a new job.. How do i stand out from other applicants?

Doolally — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:33:16 GMT

How many pages should it be? 1 or 2 max? if you've got an extensive career history how far back should you go, and should it include non VN jobs if we had a previous life before?