Businesses Spending Increasing But Interim Market Still Tough

George Snyder is a successful author and the co-director of Wismayer Consultancy Limited. He has successfully carried out a number of major global and national consultancy engagements in major  FTSE 100 companies across sectors including Manufacturing, Telecoms, Internet Service Providers, Banking, Central UK Government and NATO. With over 25 years of consultancy experience he knows the importance of a well written CV in this very difficult and challenging job market and shares his best practice tips for the interim market in this blog post.

 Businesses are Spending More

There are positive signs that businesses are looking to spend more cash to improve business performance next year but in today’s very competitive interim market it is becoming more and more challenging to get that next assignment. The increase in the numbers of interims entering the market place enables potential clients to become much more specific in their interim profile requirement and choosey in fulfilling the role. It does not help, however, when the potential client may actually be looking to fill the role in-house but uses the interim interview process as a sounding board to clarify (obtain free consultancy) on what the final role requirements should be!

Yet Interim Market Still Competitive

Whether you are a new or experienced interim, you must raise the bar on the quality of your CV content and cover letter in this very competitive environment. This is the key element that you have total control over in order to improve the chances of your CV being picked out of hundreds of potential candidates and enabling you to be short listed for an interview.

You need to look at each and every role that you have carried out to see if you have missed important information about your work experience.  You also need to add depth to your CV by giving a comprehensive picture of your capabilities.  Once you have rewritten your CV, you must carefully review your document for spelling and grammatical errors, which is one of the easiest reasons to have your CV rejected. Also, you should get someone to review your CV and provide you with feedback. By having someone else taking a fresh look at your CV, they may immediately spot an obvious mistake that you have made - and that one mistake could cost you dearly.

Another aspect that you should consider is writing two or three CV’s and cover letters which focus on different aspects of your career experience and capabilities to use in your marketing campaign.  This will enable you to target and market difference aspects of your skill set to potential clients. As time is of the essence, it will also make it quicker for you to adapt your CV and covering letter when there is a specific interim assignment that you are applying for.                          

George has mentored a number of professionals in rewriting their CVs taking a more dynamic approach in the process.  He has offered his knowledge, experience, support and sound advice in order to advance their careers in the interim market and find new jobs. While living and working in the Middle East, he worked as a CV reviewer and advisor, providing mentoring and support in rewriting CV’s for a number of professionals seeking new careers in Europe and North America.  As a consultant he has had a great deal of experience in regularly reviewing and updating his own CV in order to be short listed, interviewed and obtain that next important assignment.

photo credit:Ralph125 cc

Tags: business advice, career