How to Write The First Job Resume or CV * Motivation letter

Together Abroad10-11-2017 10:35 AM


With little or no real job experience, it can be a daunting task for anyone to write their first CV coming straight out of college or university. In an already competitive job market, it can be hard enough to stand out without years of experience under the belt, and with job recruiters spending only an average of six seconds looking at a CV, it is imperative to put in the extra effort to write a polished CV that is sure to show off any relevant qualifications.

Although making oneself stand out is a common tip for CVs, it is also important to consistently remind applicants to make sure their CV shows they meet the minimum requirements of a job first and foremost. Job recruiters are more than likely going to judge CVs based on how well they think someone matches a role, so they are going to look for the relevant skills before looking at any extra details. Some recruiters even say that at an entry level, they are more likely to look for graduates who are less likely to cause trouble, which is another way of saying it may be best not to make a CV too over-the-top, and...
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Together Abroad09-11-2017 1:55 PM
Have you ever imagined industrial machines talking to one another or “smart” factories taking production and budget decisions without involving any human interaction?

You might still think that computers, the internet, and automation (Industry 3.0) will continue to be the remarkable trends of the future. But, in fact, they no longer resemble a technological breakthrough! Everything has changed since the term “Industry 4.0” was revived in the 2011 Hanover Fair in Germany.

Without human interaction, Industry 4.0 enables machines and cyber-physical systems in factories, for example, to communicate via the Internet of Services and cooperate with each other to make better production decisions considering resources of time, effort, and cost.

To make it clear, let us take an example of a simple manufacturing process from a traditional chocolate factory that produces your favourite chocolate bars, which you buy from stores. Let us suppose that once the company receives a shipment of cocoa beans at its processing plant, the process starts with beans being roasted (maybe at different temperatures and stages). Later, beans are refined, moulded, cooled, checked for quality, packaged and then ready for distribution. At every stage of the production process, we have a production line that operates on...
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Together Abroad21-09-2017 3:22 PM


The feeling of frustration and anger can be overwhelming upon the discovery that a peer has taken the promotion you once thought you deserved. However, rather than letting emotions take hold, it is best to take a step back and try to analyse the situation with a positive and rational attitude. Was he or she better suited for the position? Was he or she more noticeable to your superiors? These are some of the questions one needs to honestly ask to find out why the job went to someone else. The difficult part is to be completely honest with oneself and ask who was truly more deserving of the promotion?

If you suspect any foul play like discrimination or favouritism then there is the option to take legal action, but otherwise it is best to explore the factors behind a peer’s promotion. One good way of doing this is to create a pros and cons list, comparing your own strengths and weaknesses to your promoted peer’s to paint a clearer picture of the situation. However, to do this properly means judging yourself honestly without letting emotions cloud your judgment. If you find that your peer’s strengths outweigh your own, then...
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Together Abroad04-09-2017 9:38 AM
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), turnover generated by temping agencies, employment agencies and payroll companies grew by 2.0 percent in Q2 2017 relative to Q1 2017. This growth is higher than in the preceding quarter. The total number of temp hours increased by 4.2 percent, the highest increase since Q2 2007.

Increase hours in short-term temp contracts almost 5 percent
The number of hours worked in both short-term and long-term temporary contracts increased. Short-term temporary contracts increased by 4.9 percent, the highest increase in almost 7 years. In long-term temporary employment contracts, e.g. secondment and pay-rolling, the number of hours was up by 3.5 percent in Q2 2017. The number has risen almost continually since 2012. Labour market improves further in Q2 The number of jobs rose by 51 thousand in Q2 2017 relative to the previous quarter. In each of the last three quarters, the number of jobs rose by more than 50 thousand. Again, temp agencies showed the most substantial growth (20 thousand). In addition, the number of unfilled vacancies has grown by 20 thousand in Q2, the most substantial quarter-on-quarter growth since Q4 2006. Unemployment fell by 19 thousand.
Source: https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2017/35/grootste-stijging-uitzenduren-in-ruim-10-jaar ...
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Together Abroad08-08-2016 12:37 PM

A personal statement is usually the first thing on your CV, meant to highlight your best qualities and achievements, and – ultimately – get your CV onto the “yes” pile. It is important that you tailor the personal statement for each different job position you apply for. One CV does not fit all. Therefore, when crafting it, pay close attention to what the recruiter is looking for. Read the advertisement closely so that you can highlight the appropriate traits. However, be careful not to resign to mindlessly copying the requirements listed in the ad.

Avoid clichés and vague terms. While it may be truthful and tempting to do, to state that you are an “enthusiastic and dedicated team player with experience in customer service” says –in fact – nothing about you except that you have experience in customer service, which lots of people have. Words like “dedicated” and “team player” are on most CV’s that go through recruiter’s hands, so you need to give them something different. Think about it – if every applicant lists the same qualities, then no one gains a competitive advantage from doing so.

Similarly, you should try to put your customer service experience in context,...
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Together Abroad20-01-2016 2:29 PM
A crucial aspect of applying to a job is having the right motivation letter. It provides a perfect opportunity to convey details and information that you couldn’t include on your cv, and is often the only way you have to make a great first impression on a potential employer.

Typically, a motivation letter should not span for more than one page. It is not a general overview of your professional background; that is what your cv is for. That means you have to know how to be concise, and how to share only the necessary information. In other words, your motivation letter has to contain relative information for each specific position you apply to.

Which brings us to an important question- how are you supposed to figure out what information is relevant?

Research

It can be hugely beneficial to carry out research on the organisation you are hoping to be employed by, before you send in your application. In order to understand what a particular organisation might like to know about you, you have to know where its interests lie. That is a first step in determining which aspects of your work experiences they might find the most interesting.

A...
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tOGETHER aBROAD29-11-2015 11:21 AM
Firstly, let’s understand what a motivation letter is!
A motivation letter is an important support to your CV which reflects your interests, motivation, self-confidence and awareness of the position which you are applying for. The main purpose of the motivation letter is to tell the employer why you are applying for this position, why you are the best candidate for the position, and to convince him/her to conduct an interview with you.
Thus, the professionally written motivation letter which is emphasising your advantages and hiding your disadvantages can be truly seen as the first important step in getting the job of your dreams. Therefore, it is very important to choose the best writing style for your motivation letter. This is where the importance of active verbs comes into play!
Let’s understand why you need active verbs in your motivation letter.
Almost every book or article recommends you to use active verbs and avoid passive tones in your job application. You may wonder why it is that important to use them. Simply, because active verbs will increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of you motivation letter and give it a special touch! Let's look at how you can use them in the...
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Together Abroad07-09-2015 10:45 AM
The application package of a job seeker usually consists of a good CV and a motivational letter. And even though the motivational letter might not always be required from the employer, knowing how to write one is a big plus. Recently recruiters offer different perspectives on how to write a good motivational letter. Some take an alternative approach that it should be different, standing out from the pile. Others strictly stick to the traditional construct. However, there are a few things recruiters unite on that should not be said in a motivational letter.

1. It should not be a copy of your CV

Surely the motivation letter is where you should elaborate on your CV. However, only the information that is important for and related with the job position you’re applying for. Emphasizing on irrelevant knowledge and experience you have without making connection with why it is valuable for the specific work opportunity makes a motivation letter vague. In the motivation letter is the answer to the question why you are the best choice, thus it should be written down in a consistent manner.

2. Lying and over exaggerating

Reading the long list of requirements for the job vacancy you’re...
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Together Abroad12-08-2015 10:52 AM
The motivation letter in the Netherlands is not necessarily an essential part of your job application. You can use the ‘Personal profile’ in your CV/ Resume to reflect your experience and objectives. If the companies require a cover/ motivation letter it should refer to your present and future plans, showing your prospective employers what you want to do now and what you will do for them in the future.

The goal of motivation letter is to introduce the CV/ Resume, to bring to attention aspects of your activity that can help your application and are not listed or not presented in the proper light in the CV/ Resume. In short, its goal is to answer the recruitment's question: "Why should I hire this person?".

A motivation letter for job in the Netherlands should contain:

Brief self introduction
Short description of education, skills and other relevant info
Closing indicating your contact details

Use key words in your motivation letter!

Finally, your motivation letter needs to look professionally. Double check all your grammar and spellings to make sure they’re correct and ensure that the layout of your letter is good. When employers have so many motivation letters to read, one that simply...
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Rachel Wardle24-11-2014 2:12 PM
So 5 days ago I am asked by a VP of Operations, how important are recruitment motivation letters?

This person may potentially be in the market for a new job and they want to know how important this really is? They are asking a professional opinion as a trusted client, but the dilemma is do I answer honestly that I find them about as useful as a chocolate tea pot or the Recruiters professional response…. They have to be a short synopsis of a resume.
There are many people out there who feel they are still a valuable insight into the psyche of the applicant’s mentality, however, I could not disagree more. Over the past 16 years I have read thousands of applicant’s motivation letters and they are on majority all the same… I saw your advert…… My skills are…. Hire me because……It is almost as if they have an inbuilt robotic response that makes me switch off upon opening the attachment and if I feel this way, I can’t be the only one?

The question of motivation letters is a question I have asked myself as a veteran recruiter many times. I know from personal experience I don’t read...
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