Coaches tips: Your CV
Job coach Lyn’s back with more tips to help you look for work.
This week, Lyn looks at the skills you might need in your CV. You can contact Lyn for help getting work ready by calling 0800 624 456 or emailing jobcoach@ocht.org.nz.
Welcome and haere mai to my latest column as ŌCHT’s job coach.
My name’s Lyn, and I’m writing a column to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening at ŌCHT’s employment service – and to pass on some tips and tricks to help you as you prepare for work.
I hope you’re all doing well in our current COVID season. Keep an eye out for me at your community – I hope to visit more communities as COVID restrictions ease! I’m available if you want to contact me at 0800 624 456 or email jobcoach@ocht.org.nz.
Now, let’s talk about one of the ways you can sell yourself – getting your SKILLS into your CV.
What’s a skills focused CV?
A skills focused CV is a CV that emphasises what you actually did at your last job. It’s not just a list of dates and workplaces – it says what you DID and HOW YOU DID IT.
In it, you can show that you asked questions if you weren’t sure, that you figured out how to solve a problem, you were always at work on time and rung in if you were sick, that you got on with your workmates and worked well together, that you were willing to learn and stayed positive even when things were getting a bit tough.
This is a good example, from Work and Income’s website. There are heaps more templates on the web – just type “skills focused CV” in Google.
What skills to employers want to know about?
They look for a mix of SOFT skills (that’s your personal qualities that help you do your work) and HARD skills (that’s the skills that are specific to particular work).
Here’s some examples of SOFT skills:
Positive attitude: Enthusiastic, willing to work even when it’s difficult
Self-management: Turn up on time, well-prepared, don’t put myself or others at risk
Thinking skills: Figure out how to solve problems, think carefully about choices, ask for advice
Communication: Listen well, talk and write clearly, ask if I don’t understand
Teamwork: Get on with everyone, do my part, support my workmates, respect my manager
Willingness to learn: Happy to learn new things, accept feedback on how to improve
Resilience: Able to keep going through hard times, able to ask for and accept help
You’ll find heaps more on the government’s Careers website.
Here are some examples of HARD skills (also known as technical skills):
Used a Point of Sales system when serving customers
Used MS Office software like Word
Have a Class 2 Licence
Used specific machinery to make something
Typing skills
Used specific tools for a job
Certificates, licences or qualifications you have
So, it’s time to think about your SKILLS!
what specific SOFT and HARD skills do you have?
add them to your CV!
Did you know?
Check out this great website – make sure you change the region to Christchurch Metro, and you might find the job you’re after!
Thanks for dropping by – and remember to keep your eyes peeled for more info from me on the website over the next wee while.
Ngā mihi nui – I hope to see you in your community, soon!
Lyn
Lyn will be back with more top tips and more details about the employment service, the drop-in sessions and Job Club (when we can do them after the omicron outbreak) very soon.