The CV Branch Archives | The CV Branch

Client service: how and why

9th February 2017 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

There’s no use denying it, we all have clients in some form or another. I’ve worked with clients for almost my entire career. And I think that it could be both a joy and a trouble.

You work with people, and people can be contrary, difficult, or delightful. I choose to believe that they are the latter before I judge, and most of my clients have turned out to be just that.

I want to highlight the difference between a customer and a client; a customer buys something, a client uses the services and advice of a professional. I’ve always called them clients, rightly or wrongly. And I prefer the word.

I could say that this is my mission;

‘The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.’ – Sam Walton

How

Client/customer service is simple: the client comes first. I don’t believe in the statement that the client is always right because he/she isn't. But the customer is king.

So, the way I deal with clients; professional, polite, kind, knowledgeable, and humour. These five pillars have always worked for me. Professionalism and politeness need no further explanation. And nobody will use your service/buy your offerings if you don’t know your subject. It’s perhaps easy to gain an interview or an enquiry, but without the supporting knowledge, then you will clearly go nowhere with that client.

It seems to me that kindness is a relatively rare commodity in our world. Empathy and sympathy could form part of the concept. And humour makes everything better!

‘Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’ – Damon Richards

You have to try to find some kind of connection with your clients; perhaps you like the same sports, the opera, food, TV shows. You’ll only discover this if you listen. Listen, listen, listen. Enough said?

I used to supply specialized ink to the credit card printing industry. A client urgently needed a specific colour which we ordered from the UK via airfreight, in this instance. On a particular Friday afternoon, the plane has landed and now I’m charging to the airport to collect it from the courier company. Then I charged to the client to deliver the ink so that they could print over the weekend. Monday morning when I walked in, the ink was still in reception, right where I left it. Do you have any idea how angry I was? It’s the cry-wolf scenario and it upset me terribly. But, it was a client, and a good one. (Turns out that I later worked for them.)

Why

Because spectacular client service is the cornerstone of any successful business.

‘Good service is good business.’ – Siebel Ad

It can also lead to great professional and personal relationships. My best friend is a former client.

Do you know the feeling you get when a client is grateful/pleased/satisfied and he’s not afraid to say so? It’s tremendous. It makes you feel proud and gives you hope that you’re on the right path.

I had the marketing team of a large bank in South Africa as clients. They had cases full of French champagne as part of a marketing strategy, and I also received a bottle. Yum yum! It was only when I left the company that I realised the extent of the marvellous relationships that I’ve established.

If you are someone’s client, be nice to your supplier. The service you receive will rapidly improve.

In my current position as owner of The CV Branch, I’ve found this to be true:

‘Loyal customers, they don’t just come back, they don’t simply recommend you, they insist that their friends do business with you.’ – Chip Bell

Enjoy your clients/customers, it can only improve your workday.

What does your CV say about you?

10th January 2017 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

I think that the obvious answer to this question is that ‘you are remarkable’. But unfortunately, this is not enough. Your CV should explain to a prospective employer exactly why you are so remarkable. (Our professional CV writing service will achieve that for you.)

1. Confidence

Are you? Confident?

‘Confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.’ – Samuel Johnson

I dislike quotes that encourage the reader to just be confident. My immediate instinct is to say, ‘Yes, and how exactly am I supposed to achieve that?’

The way to overcome this obstacle, whether you have great or little confidence, is to write your CV in a confident manner. Id est, use positive language. If you write your CV in the passive voice, you will sound uncertain, doubtful. Use strong verbs; improved, increased, managed. And sell yourself; shamelessly but truthfully.

2. Understanding

Your CV should convey the message that you are aware of your strengths and have applied these strengths to make a difference. It indicates that you understand your own value and are certain that a company will benefit by employing you. You will be able to negotiate from a position of strength.

But you must emphasize those abilities in your professional CV, up front, instantly noticeable.

3. Jargon

Please, please leave out the buzz-words and the jargon. Mostly, they mean nothing and explain nothing.

‘I am results-driven, goal-oriented, and hardworking.’ Okay, so how did you apply those adjectives? How did they enhance/increase/benefit?’ Do you understand what I mean? Unless you can show how you have ‘driven results’, jargon will be annoying and a waste of precious space on your CV.

It will also seem as if you have no idea how to describe yourself and your skills accurately.

4. Grammar

Let someone proofread your CV. I know from experience that it’s difficult to spot errors in your own writing.

Use present tense in describing your current position and past tense for previous employment.

A CV filled with grammar and spelling errors will say that you’re careless. You don’t have pride in your achievements or yourself, and that you don’t make the effort to at least attempt perfection.

5. Length

I can promise you that nobody will read a CV that is nine pages long. Two pages, three at the most.

Don’t discuss every position you’ve had since the moon landing. I’m not referring to students or school leavers. It will indicate that you are too lazy/ blasé to write a new CV aimed at a specific position.

A CV is not a document that you create on the fly. You simply have to invest and apply yourself. A professional CV writer will achieve that

Reference

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/09/11/five-things-your-resume-says-about-you-instantly/2/#337af73a6407

From 2016 to 2017

31st December 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

The CV Branch has had its best year since its conception.

A profound thank you to my fabulous clients; for working with me and trusting me with your documents.

I understand so well that the service I offer symbolizes hope. Thank you for all the kind words I’ve received and for telling your friends about The CV Branch.

Thank you for the advice, assistance, and encouragement that my family and friends have offered The CV Branch.

Thank you for the support that the company has received on social media platforms.

The CV Branch and I want to wish you a sensational year, filled with grand possibilities, heart-stopping excitement, and love.

7 Steps to a grand LinkedIn profile

13th October 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

You probably know that a great LinkedIn profile is invaluable; whether you are searching for employment, candidates, or to establish a professional network.

But perhaps you don’t know the etiquette and interaction behaviour for LinkedIn. For instance, you should try to accept (or reject) requests to connect as soon as possible; good manners are applicable everywhere.

Don’t underestimate LinkedIn’s significance; The CV Branch has written numerous CVs for clients who have found us on LinkedIn. This professional platform is ideal (almost a must-have) for presenting your talents and skills.

So, following are a few simple enhancements you may consider.

1. Photograph

This is easy; do not use a photograph of you sitting next to the pool with a drink in hand or visiting a spa. Leave that for Facebook. Speaking of which, please make sure that your Facebook posts are private, employers will have a look. To return to the LinkedIn photograph, it must be professional; head and shoulders with a neutral background or showing you in an area of your profession.

2. Your name

Use your name and surname. LinkedIn is not the place for nicknames. However, I believe that using the name by which you are known is not necessarily a bad idea. For instance: ‘Elizabeth Margaret Cookson’. If nobody knows who that is, use ‘Elize Cookson’. (Not really my names.)

3. Headline

You have a hundred-and-twenty (120) characters in which to explain who you are. To give you an idea, here are a couple of examples of headlines that I’ve written:

‘Senior Manager: Operations, Marketing; applying knowledge of Strategy, Technology, Risk, Finance, Contracts, Projects’

‘Executive Manager and Director; International Leader, Strategy Expert, Marketing, Sales, and Business Developer’

4. Summary

A summary is vital for establishing a search presence. Explain who you are and what you can offer in at least forty words (maximum 2,000 characters), and don’t forget to use a few industry-specific keywords.

5. Your profile

Complete your profile. Your chances of being found in a search increase exponentially. To achieve an ‘All Star’ rating;

photograph,
industry and location,
a detailed current position,
two previous positions,
skills, and
50+ connections.

6. Skills

Don’t be afraid to list all your skills. Endorse your connections and they would hopefully do it in return. You can ask to be recommended, I’m not brave enough to do that, but if you are, click on the ‘Ask for recommendations’ button as shown in the screenshot.

7. Participation

Be active on LinkedIn. I’m not saying that you should create your own content. Share your connections’ or articles that are pertinent and interesting. You can, of course, prepare your own posts to use as a showcase for your projects/skills/successes. Connect with people in your industry and follow interest groups.

References:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/271919

https://content.linkedin.com/content/dam/press/Download-Assets/Media%20Resources/Infographics/5%20Ways%20to%20Rock%20Your%20Profile.jpg

http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/linkedin-profile-perfection-cheat-sheet#sm.00001etbyn1efdficrxc3ldr9fwjy

6 Questions to ask your CV writer

11th October 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

The CV writing industry is competitive. Choosing a professional CV writer with whom you feel comfortable with can be a daunting task. I have compiled a list of questions you may want to ask a CV writer. Needless to say, I have answered these questions in my personal capacity as the owner of The CV Branch. (I, of course, want to be your supplier of choice!)

1. What qualifies you to write a great CV, Cover Letter, Résumé, LinkedIn profile or personal CV Webpage?

I am client-orientated and my caring nature will always be an asset. I pay close attention to detail, an irreplaceable skill. My command of the English language is superb and I believe in the Plain Language movement. In other words, I write your CV without unnecessary frills and adjectives which will mean nothing to an employer and more often than not, will create distrust.

Writing is my occupation, therefore I will make 100 per cent sure that your CV is accurate and free from errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I have experience, having worked in the industry for four years.

2. How do you decide what layout or format to use?

I invest time in assuring that my templates remain up-to-date with current, as well as emerging, trends. My CVs are not written as one-size-fits-all. I am creative and understand the need to change my template should your industry demand it. Each client is unique, and I write only for you. My templates have an understated visual appeal, creating a better chance of an employer to look at it for more than just a few seconds.

3. Who writes my documents?

I personally write your CV, Résumé, Cover Letter, LinkedIn profile, and personal CV Webpage. The Language Branch: The CV Branch is my company and I take pride in the work I offer. My reputation is of the utmost importance to me.

4. Can I speak to someone if I have questions or concerns?

You speak to me personally, telephonically, via email or Skype. I am there for you throughout this process as much as I am able to be.

5. How does the revision process work?

I provide you with a first draft of your CV. Most of the time there is some material I require from you. You also have the opportunity to add or delete information. (The CV Branch does not take responsibility for false information.)

Once we have all the facts, I present you with your final copy.

6. What if I don’t like my CV, Résumé, or Cover Letter?

Within reason, I will continue working on it until it is perfect. Should we not understand each other at all or if I feel that the expectations are unreasonable, we may look at a partial refund. This, however, is not standard practice. But at the end of the day, I want my clients to be satisfied with my service.

4 frustrations when establishing your own business

24th September 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

Remember I wrote the article on how not to let your mind explode while establishing your own company? I mentioned that it was to be a four-part series. As promised, this one deals with the frustrations I’ve encountered and often still do.

1. Websites and Web developers

I believe that I can relieve a small nation of their national debt with all the money I’ve spent on Web developers. If I remember correctly, I’ve tried five of them!

My point is: Be prepared for frustration. I had two websites, and no, not because I’m so important, but because the scope of my company has changed. The result was more frustration with having the site published, gaining an internet presence, and here we go again.

2. Google

It seems to me that without Google, humanity might experience a soupçon* of agony. Did you know that it has transformed into a verb as well? Now that’s having ‘arrived’ if you ask me. And remember, if Google can’t find you, nobody will. Your company might not even exist for that matter.

It took me about a year to figure this out, to understand how The Thing works and then to realize that It obsessively changes Its algorithms.

3. Social media

I should probably have started with this frustration. Do you have ANY idea how many platforms there are? It’s nauseating. And the entire world clamours for attention. ‘Does inconsequential me have any prospects of being seen/recognized/read/gain attention?’

I have a list of all the platforms where the company has a presence because it’s becoming ridiculous how many there are. (And all to satisfy the Google-beast.)

So remember now: you like on Facebook, you follow on Twitter, you connect on LinkedIn, you pin on Pinterest, and I can’t remember now what you do with Instagram or Google+.

I trust that my problem is clear.

4. Uncapped ADSL, expenses, etc.

During the last two years, money have* been growing feet and walked out my front door. Promise.

My uncapped ADSL shouldn’t be mentioned here; best decision I’ve made in the recent past. Between Telkom, MWeb, and of course my host, my problems have been negligible.

So between continued education, running expenses, a bit of wine, design, and books…it’s constant toil.

But man am I having fun!

*Quick French lesson

Soupçon means a dash, a bit, a tad, etc.

You will notice the ‘ç’ symbol; it’s called a cédille or in English ‘cedilla’. It shows that the ‘c’ should be pronounced as an ‘s’ and not a ‘k’.

If you are interested in the influence that French had, and has, on English, Emeritus Professor Antoinette Renouf of English Language and Linguistics at the Birmingham City University wrote a (long) article as a contribution to a book on the subject of Gallicisms; Shall we Hors-d’Oeuvres? Uses and Misuses of Gallicisms in English.

*Quick English lesson

Uncountable nouns (like ‘money’) fall into one of the following categories:

substance – air, wood, water, gold;
feeling – love, happiness, fear;
quality/characteristic – patience, strength, beauty, kindness;
activity – soccer, karate, chess; and
idea – democracy, freedom, peace.

Unaccountable nouns only have the plural form and are not used with a/an or numbers.

I have written a post about uncountable nouns after a colleague of mine pointed out that this description is not entirely accurate.

12 Phrases to avoid using on your CV and/or résumé

14th September 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

By now, everyone knows that social media is the bane of my existence. But a friend of mine told me the other day that she loves all the CV tips I give on my social media platforms. However, she’d like to have them all in one place. Hence the reason for this post.

1. Job duties

This sounds unprofessional. Use ‘Responsibilities’.

2. Objective statement

Such a statement is wasting space. An employer wants to know what you can do for him/her. And if your objective wasn’t to secure the position, you wouldn’t have applied.

3. Transferrable skills

Transferrable used to be a so-called buzz word some time ago. But this statement tells the employer nothing about the skills that you are able to ‘transfer’.

4. References

The phrase ‘References are available upon request’ is old-fashioned and unnecessary. The availability of references is assumed and employers know that they will be presented readily if requested.

5. Microsoft Office

Again, it’s implicit that candidates can use Microsoft. You only need to state industry-specific and modern computer packages.

6. Results-oriented

Well, if you’re not, your application will most likely not succeed. The better option is to demonstrate the results that you’ve achieved.

7. Hobbies and interests

Unless your hobbies are applicable to your industry or career, please don’t mention them.

8. Hard worker

Hopefully that is implied? Your interviewer might ask you for proof or examples of where ‘you've worked hard’.

Numbers 9 to 12 are all phrases that are meaningless unless they are specifically elaborated upon.

9. I work well under pressure

10. I am a people-person

11. Communication skills

12. Strategic thinker

I’m sure that you understand exactly what I mean by claiming that phrases like these are obsolete. They add nothing to an employer’s perception of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and how you can contribute to the success of the company.

These are catchphrases that you should avoid. I will write another post where I’ll discuss words that shouldn’t appear on your CV.

And if you know of similar phrases, please, let me know!

Is your cover letter good enough?

23rd May 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

Your Cover Letter should be the perfect accompaniment to your CV. Together they are powerful marketing tools in your quest for the ideal career or position. Sending a Cover Letter with your CV is professional, indicating that you should be taken seriously. It serves as your introduction.

A Cover Letter should target each particular position you wish to apply for. A prospective employer will be impressed if you know something about his company. The Letter should convince the employer that he really wants to read your CV. Inform them that you plan to contact them shortly regarding the position.

To begin with, explain what you can do for the company – not what they can do for you and your career. You could mention something personal, but it still has to be professional and orientated towards the position. A Cover Letter can be ever so slightly more personal than a CV or Résumé, allowing you to express and reveal a bit about yourself. Show your passion for your chosen career, the position, and the company. If possible, address the Letter to a specific person.

Offer the prospective employer a sneak peak of what your CV contains. And refer to the content of your CV, but in short and mentioning only a highlight or two. Confirm that you have the skills and experience that the employer is looking for.

Whereas a CV needs to be in chronological order, a Cover Letter does not, therefore you can emphasize the parts of your career best suited to the position you are applying for. And do not use the same Letter for each vacancy you submit an application for.

There are employers who are of the opinion that the lack of a Cover Letter indicates that the applicant is lazy or sending CVs en masse. You want to show your commitment to the position and the company.

'The résumé focuses on you and the past. The Cover Letter focuses on the employer and the future. Tell the hiring professional what you can do to benefit the organization in the future.' – Joyce Lain Kennedy, Cover Letters for Dummies

Cardinal rules:

There must be NO grammatical errors and NO spelling mistakes.
Never, ever lie on a CV, a Résumé, or a Cover Letter.

Believe that you are a superstar!

Your personal CV Webpage

16th March 2016 By The CV Branch Leave a Comment

The CV Branch has something new and unique to offer...

Your personal CV Webpage!

The world is changing and we cannot afford to lag behind. An online presence is paramount. Now just imagine, you can have your own CV Webpage.

The reasons are legion:

Increase your visibility. Your information is current and accurate, instantly available to a prospective employer.
Added value. Your Webpage will show employers that you are a serious, professional candidate. I am not saying that a traditional CV is not necessary. But a Webpage with your name on will make it easier for employers to find you and to learn more about you.
Everything is in one place. We can include all your documents; cover letter, CV, references, and certificates. If you have projects that you are particularly proud of, we create a ‘button’. Here you don’t have to consider briefness; the problem of your CV being ‘too long’ doesn’t exist.
Personalization: You can include a photograph, your personal moto, other relevant photographs, and links to Websites of value such as LinkedIn. Include the link to your page in your email signature and, should you wish, publish it on social media. It will obviously appear on your traditional CV. And if you are brave, we can even add a video.
It is exciting!

In the interest of security, no personal details will appear – you choose what you want to display.

I have chosen a simple template that I will populate for you. Thereafter, you may maintain it yourself or I can assist you.

Have a look at The Language Tree (simplified because it is not a personal CV): http://the-language-tree.strikingly.com/

And the best news; there are no hosting fees.