Drafting that all-important, striking CV - guest blogger Jose Cofone

Jose Cofone, senior account manager in the leisure travel division at New Frontiers, advises on what does and doesn’t win candidates that crucial first interview.

I read at least 50 CVs per day, which over 11 years here equates to over 125,000 CVs. In this time I’ve found that a CV literally has seconds to make an impression on a prospective employer.

It has been a turbulent few years in the travel job market but confidence appears to be returning and the range of positions increasing. In this current employer-focused job market, your CV is the key to unlocking the interview door. Due to the amount of people currently seeking employment, your CV needs to stand out. You need to sell your skills and experience to the maximum of their ability.

Employment History
Explain your duties fully. I find bullet points make your employment history easier to read. Ensure that you mention any unique selling points i.e. “Top seller in the company with over £10million nett sales in 2008”, “Tailor-making holidays using Galileo CRS”, “Aussie and Cruise specialist”, etc.

Travel Profile
I constantly receive CVs which mention a passion for travelling but do not indicate locations that applicants have travelled to. This should be common sense if you are applying for positions in the travel industry. Your travelling experience can differentiate you against the competition. List the countries with a brief synopsis. I recently spoke to a candidate who had travelled to over 80 countries and 121 cities and did not think it was important to mention on his CV. His travel profile alone got him the job!

Tailor your CV to specific jobs
When applying to any role, carefully read vacancy details and required skills and experiences. Visit the company website to get a clear indication of their needs and wants. Ensure that these requirements are shown clearly on your CV (if you have them).

Points of attention
• No wacky email addresses. “crazyfool@email.com”, does not paint a professional image
• Ensure your computer spell check is English UK not English US
• Clarify any gaps between jobs

Be realistic with the roles that you apply for! I received a CV for a Retail Travel Manager role from a person who felt she had suitable skills and experiences as she managed a perfume store in Heathrow. That does not count!

What not to do!
On the flip side, here’s what to omit from your CV so you don’t blow your changes of landing that great job. All examples are true!
Cover letters can be beneficial but not if you start it, “At the age of nine, I was standing by the edge of a sulphur belching volcano hoping my mother wouldn’t fall in.” No matter how the letter continues, you have lost all credibility.

Profile details are important but status “Single and good looking” does not paint a professional image. Detailing language skills as “Russian (excellent), Azerbaijani (good), English (poor)” will not impress.

Employment details are all important but too much honesty can effect your chances as this example clearly shows, “Another undesirable job. As far as I was concerned I was not needed at all in this company, I was right. After a week they got rid of me. My duties included throwing away old files and doing anything anyone else wanted me to do. It was like being the office bitch.” This is an actual excerpt from a CV.

Background info including personal interests can provide a good all-round image but too much info…… “I travelled around the world before I was 21, worked in Australia, Middle East, South Africa and Spain (All good so far). Pets during a similar period included a Boa Constrictor, a Squirrel, an Owl and a Rabbit.” Why, why, why???

Let your personality come out in the interview, where you can gauge and tailor it your audience, not in the CV, where you can’t. Humour on your CV (even unintentional) will generally not result in an interview. With vacancies on the up, don’t lower your chances of landing that great role.

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