When you’re applying for a new job in an English-speaking company or country, you’re likely to need three things.
All of these things can be prepared in advance, and they will help you in different ways so that you can get your dream job!
Your CV
A lot of people wait until they are applying for a job to write their CV, but I think this is a mistake.
Writing your CV before you apply gives you a great overview of your career so far. You can see your career progression, so that you know why you’re ready for the next step.
Writing your CV shows you the ‘big picture’ of your strengths – and the jobs (or parts of jobs) that you like and which you’re good at. When you look at the jobs you’ve done in detail, you can also see where you’ve made a positive impact. (These are what I call “achievement stories”.)
This means that when you start applying for new jobs, you know what you’re really good at (and you can show examples) as well as the types of job which you’d like. So you can start your job search with confidence.
A great CV does these things:
– shows the employer your skills with examples
– gives some examples of your achievements (at least one in each job)
– shows your career progression (even if you’ve worked in different industries)
– is relevant for the job you’re applying for – which makes it brief (generally two pages in length)
– is accurate, without spelling or grammar mistakes
Your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is one of the best places to network professionally. You’ll have the opportunity to meet people (online) in your industry and it also works as an international job board.
Your LinkedIn profile is different in style to your CV. It’s written in a more informal style, and you can focus much more on the value you bring an employer, rather than on a list of jobs with dates.
LinkedIn is also very dynamic. You can start building your connections and network now, so that you can become more visible in your community.
A great LinkedIn profile does these things:
– gives a ‘snapshot’ of your career (brief details and highlights)
– shows your industry and job knowledge (through the posts and comments you make)
– attracts people to connect with you
– makes you visible to employers and recruiters
Your Professional bio
In some situations, you don’t want to give the people you meet a formal, 2-page CV. This is especially true if you’re networking, or appearing in public, such as at a conference or press event. In these situations, you aren’t “looking” for a job, but meeting people.
This is where a professional bio is so helpful. It’s a one-page document which gives a summary of your career and education, and your expertise. It’s written in the third-person (like your CV) but it also includes details about you which aren’t necessarily part of your career history. For example, it might include your interest in voluntary work or ‘good causes’, and it might also include your values and work ethic.
A great Professional bio does these things:
– introduces you to a new audience (conference / industry event / media interviews)
– gives a bigger picture of you (your life also outside your job)
– makes people interested in meeting you
Get my help to write your CV, LinkedIn Profile & Bio!
When English isn’t your first language, it can be difficult to write an interesting and persuasive CV, LInkedIn profile and Professional bio.
That’s why I developed “English For Your Career”: a training course which shows you how to write your career documents in an easy, step-by-step way.
Get examples of great CVs, profiles and bios to copy or adapt, as well as all the language help you need to write confidently.
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