ADVICE
PROFILE – FACT BOX
TOP TIPS
Sarah Dudney
for CV writing and
Career highlights:
Sarah Dudney is a headhunter for
Lockwood Gibb & Associates. Previously,
successful interview skills
she worked for AEGON in Edinburgh, in
a strategic planning role.
GUIDANCE FOR CV GUIDANCE FOR CV WRWRITINGITING GUIDANCE FOR A GOOD INTERVIEW
A good CV should act as ‘bait’ to prospective employers. A good interviewee
Content • Is prepared with sensible questions because
• Arrange in reverse chronology – most recent fi rst; the best interviews are discussions;
• Be accurate on dates and locations of jobs, noting internal promotions; • Is ready for any ‘curve balls’/tricky
• Use clear, precise English; questions that might come his/her way;
• Where possible, use active verbs (e.g. create/ direct/ manage); • Has a copy of his/her CV at the ready for
• Be careful with use of fi nancial jargon; the meeting (just in case);
• Double check spelling and grammar; • Has checked the press/website of the
• Always get your CV proof read; interviewing company as well as share
• Have you been fair to yourself in articulating your key skills? price, and recent analyst reports,
Format Bloomberg data, if relevant;
• Bullet pointing is one good way of drawing your reader in; • Is sensitive to the business culture of the
• Use the margins to create ‘white space’; interviewing fi rm (particularly dress
• A good length should be two pages, if possible. If not, use an appendix code);
for performance data. • Has a positive outlook;
Th e Don’ts • Is ready to listen.
• Don’t ramble on; A good interviewee will avoid
• Don’t try to over-impress. If you are a fi nancial guru with a long list of • Arrogance, an over confi dent approach
achievements, prizes and publications, group these separately. (e.g. ‘I am the best stock picker in the
• Don’t boast about esoteric hobbies. ‘Extra curricular interests: late City. Ever’);
Picasso, early Elvis’. Don't oversimplify them either. In a sample of • Interrupting the interviewer;
City CVs I was going over recently, ‘reading’ was the most cited hobby. • Negative questions/negative approach;
Reading what? Th e Financial Times or Th e Erotic Review? • Appearing over rehearsed and having
• Don’t be dishonest. answers ‘off pat’.
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