Mark Wilson, Managing Director of Sharp Consultancy said: “UK unemployment has reached over 2 million now and economists are predicting that this figure will increase to over 3 million by the end of next year. So as the competition for every vacancy continues to increase this will mean that employers will get even pickier and be able to ultimately recruit the cream of the crop.
“So for job seekers to stand the best chance of facing the competition head on and getting back on the job ladder, they need to ensure they are fully prepared for the job that they want. Our team of specialists can offer applicants expert advice and invaluable help with the whole preparation process.
“This starts with preparing an outstanding CV that effectively communicates their credibility as an applicant and their suitability for the role. Presentation is the key here, as in the current climate some employers are receiving hundreds of CV’s for a role, so they’re looking for well laid out, easy to read and punchy documents containing factual and relevant information.
“If an applicants CV earns them an interview, we can advise on how and what research they should do on the company as well as how to effectively dress to impress, as firms now more than ever are thinking about their image and will assess whether or not the applicant reflects their identity in the interview – first impressions really do count.
“Finally, we can work with candidates to help them brush up on their all important interview technique and ensure that they offer clear, confident and precise answers to questions without waffling. This is imperative - applicants must be able to demonstrate why they are the best person for the job and exactly how their skills will benefit the organisation.”
He concluded: “As the number of roles in many sectors, including finance continues to decrease but the number of applicants greatly increases, the job market is getting tougher by the day, so now is the ideal opportunity for all those who are currently unemployed to brush up on their job preparation skills and interview technique. Our expertise is free of charge for finance candidates, so I would urge them to grasp this opportunity now in order to improve their chances of getting back in the market.”
