Our philosophy of doing things (including when looking for a job) is inspired by the thoughts of Henry Ford:
Remember that the good CV “sells” and you should keep it to no more than two pages (if possible). What to include:
Personal information: The mandatory attributes of the CV are: name and surname, date of birth (optional attribute, but recommended), mobile phone, e-mail. The place of living is not mandatory, but it gives the employer a reference if the workplace is not too distant. The application photo is good to have it in the CV and it should be a passport format.
Work Experience: You should always start from the last position you have occupied. Specify the name of the particular employer, web page if any, the period you worked there, and the position. It is good to describe exactly what your duties and responsibilities were, but extremely brief and systematized.
Do not be afraid to specify all the places where you worked, even if it was unqualified work (the desicion is yours).
However, you should consider whether to enter a distant temporary job given that you have enough work experience in the area you are applying for. Clearly, this information is superfluous, especially if you have already gained enough useful work experience.
If your work experience is variegated with short periods of employment for different companies, you will not make a very good impression. You should prepare convincing arguments to explain the frequent change of workplace.
Education, Languages and Computer skills: And here, at the top, is the highest level of education. For example: Doctor, Master, Bachelor, High School Education. It is not necessary to indicate the primary education or any additional courses you have attended, but you should list any foreign language skills you have gained, and state whether you are at a basic, intermediate or advanced level. Do not forget to specify all the programs you can work with
Additional Information: Information about your hobbies and additional interests. You should only indicate them if you think that this will benefit you.
Prepare your CV by using exact words without any cuts, structured in clear sentences. Remember that a good CV is what HR specialists can easily orientate when reading it and can capture the important things from the minor. If you embrace desire and enthusiasm to create the perfect CV, this will be the first step to your desired job.
When you apply for a new position your CV is the first thing that your future employer looks at. That is why it should be perfect, and contain a maximum amount of useful information about yourself in a reasonable amount of text. Most people underestimate the CV, they send unclear and not properly formatted CVs with missing information, which drastically reduces their chances.
Let’s not forget that an employer receives tens if not hundreds of CVs and often he just glances at them and rates the best ones. If your CV is not properly formatted and the information is not structured in the right way, your CV might not receive the attention it deserves.
While preparing your CV, be sure that the information within is precise and take a more creative approach to the structure.
In a good CV the information is divided in paragraphs, and an appropriate font is chosen for the less important information. It is always a good idea to use a template if you are struggling with the structure of your CV.
No matter on what level the interview is, it is a matter of respect to be appropriately dressed. Business is the only style you should choose, leave the latest and most fashionable clothes for where they belong. After all you are not going to a night club. Jeans and a t-shirt is also not appropriate. A simple dress shirt with the right trousers or skirt will do just fine if you don’t have a suit. As always aim for the golden middle, the skirt should not be too long nor too short, no flashy jewels and no screaming bright colored clothes.
Preparing for an interview is not as complicated as it seems. It’s enough to prepare for your first interview. If you don’t have any previous experience, do as with everything else and read up on the theory. You could read some information on the rules you are supposed to follow or look up someone else’s experience. It is also a good idea to find information on the company that you are applying for. No matter if it is a giant corporation or a small business, knowing where you are always makes a good impression. You should also take some time to think about how to present yourself best. What are your strong and weak sides for the job you are applying for? Why should they choose you and not someone else? If you can answer those questions you are on the way to success.
Although an interview is considered a stressful event, you should always try to be calm, honest and above all always be yourself. Often, while striving to show your best side you use “template” phrases, your body takes an unnatural position, you have an awkward smile and you give the answers that you think the interviewer wants to hear. You should consider that you are sending out information about yourself not only with your clothes and overall appearance but also with your behavior, your eyes and even with your voice. You should sit up straight but comfortable, use open gestures that speak of your honesty and good nature and don’t move too much on your chair. You have to avoid: speaking too slow or too fast, too low or too loud, don’t interrupt, don’t explain yourself if you haven’t been asked a question, don’t drum with your fingers on the table, don’t sit in a threatening pose, or in a pose that shows that you are worried or worse that you are hiding something.
As with every other meeting the rules are the same. It is essential to not be late. It is also not appropriate to be too early. About 5 minutes earlier is the most appropriate time to arrive or otherwise you could mix up the schedule of the person you are meeting, there might not be a place for you to wait and it would be awkward for everybody. It is also very important to verify the address on a map or in person, because you might think you know where you are going but there could always be a mix up with the street numbers or something else. Or you might not find a place to park. It is best to plan everything so that you don’t waste yours or anybody else’s time!
Let us think about how with not thinking enough or over thinking you can waste your chances. First look carefully through the add you want to apply for. Find out what language your CV should be in, also if you should send a picture a cover letter, references or anything else. It is unacceptable to send your CV in Bulgarian if the job posting is in English, and vice versa. Most people research a company before applying for a job, it is wise to systemize this information because you could wind up in a situation where you don’t know what jobs you have applied for or you are sending 2-3 or more identical CVs for the same position. This shows that you are uninterested and makes a very bad impression. You should also think if the structure of your autobiography corresponds to the concept of the job you are applying for. A too short CV rises a lot of questions, a too long CV risk not being read at all. Most of all, do not forget that every action you make speaks on your behalf! A not well thought action, a misplaced word or an outburst at any stage of the hiring proces might be conceived by your future employer as an inability to handle your future work.
Here are links to good CV formats:
https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/
All available job positions you may find in the Bulgarian version of the web site.
