"John Lees is a purveyor of sound, no nonsense career advice which delivers results, whatever your age or status."
Carol Lewis, Business Features Editor, The TimesIt doesn't take months to learn how to write a CV that works, but it does take a few hours. This book is designed to take you through that process quickly, taking some short cuts, encouraging your readers to say one simple word: "yes".
Features:
- Step by step approach to building a CV from scratch
- Detailed advice on getting bullet points and the profile right
- Example CVs, including entry level and executive CVs
- Demystifying of CV formats and styles, including 'hybrid', competency-based and functional CVs
Drawing on over 25 years' experience of training recruiters, John Lees, author of the bestselling How To Get A Job You'll Love, is one of the UK's best known career strategists. In Knockout CV he shows you how to write CVs and cover letters that convey your strengths quickly and get you into the interview room. "A comprehensive and practical guide to building arelevant, evidence-based CV which will win the recruiter'sattention."
Liz Mason, Associate Director, Alumni Career Services,London Business School, UK
"You write a CV for a purpose: to get a job. Knockout CV works backwards from the desired result, analysing each feature of the CV from the perspective of impact on the decision-maker. No frills, no diversions, simply full of practical help."
Shirley Anderson, HR Director, Talent and Reward, Pilkington Group Limited
"This book is essential reading for anyone considering a career move or applying for another position... This is an excellent, practical guide which I believe will really make the difference to securing that interview."
Christine Gaskell, Chair, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and former HR Director, Bentley Motors Ltd
"John Lees leads you back to the basic document of so manyjob-hunting campaigns, and yet again opens your eyes to seethe real underlying principles. His clear and authoritative voice brings life back into what is often seen as a routine activity - CV writing - yet is so important in today's hyper-competitive job market."
Matthias Feist, Head of Careers & Business Relations atRegent's University London, UK and Chair of PlaceNet: Placements in Industry Network
"John has produced an honest and authentic approach to creating a winning CV which speaks to your strengths, and will make the difference to getting noticed and in front of the selection panel."
Angella Clarke-Jervoise, Big 4 Partner Recruiter andInternational Career Coach
Praise for John Lees' careers books:
"When I read John's writing, two things happen. First, I feel as if he's standing right there, personally advising me. And second, I always come away thinking over the issue in a new way. It's a rare, but very useful, gift."
Sarah Green, Associate Editor, Harvard Business Review
"I know first-hand the joy that being in the right career can bring and I commend John Lees for his books and seminars which help other people do just that."
Rosemary Conley CBE
"John Lees is the Career Professional's professional; thedoyen of careers experts. His books and advice have helpedcountless numbers of people to enjoy better, more fulfilling careers."
Dr Harry Freedman, Career and Business Strategist,Hanover Executive
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Penny de Valk, CEO of Fairplace Cedar
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Overview: Composing your CV from back to front
List of Downloadable Documents & CVs
Why you should read this bookMaking your CV work for you
Your CV and your job search
The essentials of a knockout CV
Cataloguing your material
Choosing the right CV format
Structuring your CV to match your circumstances
The mix & match CV
Constructing your job-by-job history: turningevents into evidence
Writing about achievements
The art of profile writing
Getting more out of your profile
Fine tuning page 1
FAQs and checklists for your final edit
Market testing your CV and working with recruitment consultancies
Speculative and cover letters
Completing application forms
Appendix: employer responses to the CV survey
About the Author :
John Lees has been involved in the training and developing of recruitment specialists since the mid 1980s, from both public and private sectors. He undertook an advisory role to the RN careers service, and has provided help for Army personnel beginning civilian careers. He was Chief Executive of the Institute of Employment Consultants (IEC) until 1993 when he left to become a Director of TGA, an employment research and careers advisory company. In 1999 he decided to go it alone and now runs his own human resources consultancy, specialising in career management and developing new tools to help with difficult career change decisions. John writes and speaks widely, and amongst his regular commitments acts as an online careers “guru” for lifebyte.com. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (FCIPD) and Fellow of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (FREC).
