Give your CV an overhaul with help from the experts

In todayís competitive job market, candidates need to make an immediate impact on prospective employers, attracting attention to their key skills. The CV is only the beginning of the process but can make a good first impression. Jarvis Exhibitions are hosting a CV clinic at their annual recruitment show Careers & Jobs Live and theGRADfair, held at Londonís Olympia from 31 October - 1 November 2004.

Help is on hand from experienced CV writers PJG Recruitment Ltd, for free, at Britainís premier recruitment fair. Ian Williams of PJG Recruitment Ltd explains the importance of having a good CV when trying to impress a prospective employer:

Your CV is the most important tool in your search for the perfect job. It gets you noticed and may lead to that all-important first interview. The words Curriculum Vitae literally translated means the story of your life. Your CV is a very important document that tells people about your work experience so far. With it rests your hopes and dreams for the future.

Some top CV tips from Ian:

Make any points in your CV clear, concise and íreader friendlyí. Avoid lengthy paragraphs of text - bullet points are best. Shout about the things you have done well. Achievements are key to a good CV. Avoid a lengthy CV - try and keep it to 2 pages. Ensure that your personal details are accurate and up to date.

Bruce Birchall, Exhibition Director, Jarvis Exhibitions said: Careers & Jobs Live and theGRADfair is the leading series of recruitment and training fairs in the country. We not only provide visitors with the chance to meet prospective employers, but also offer some useful tips on how to get their desired job. The CV clinic is returning to the show again with a team of experts who have an extensive knowledge of how to compose a winning CV. Other facilities to support our visitors include a crche and a jobs board called the Wall Of Opportunity, listing hundreds of current jobs available at the exhibitor stands.

It is not just CVs that need attention, if interview technique lets you down all the groundwork will have gone to waste. Strong interview skills are also very important. explained Ian Williams. Why waste all that time you have spent preparing a CV by not being prepared for an interview.

Ian offers some handy hints on how to be ready for an interview:

Before attending an interview, carry out some research on the company - make sure that you are íin the loopí by looking at the company website. Be polite, smile and answer any questions clearly. Make sure that you are smartly dressed and well groomed for any interview. Make sure that your interviewer can see that you are taking notice of what they are saying. Acknowledge their comments and take notes. Prepare some relevant questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Remember: How you respond to the interviewer and the body language that you project will be more important that the actual spoken word. Consider in advance what the qualities are that the employer may be looking for and which of these skills you possess.