Some useful tips on using Twitter in your job hunt.

What is Twitter?

In short, Twitter is described as a microblogging platform, the micro part referring to the limited number of characters a ‘tweet’ is made of, 140 to be exact. The limited number of characters has been a major part of twitters success, in a classic less is more way. It’s difficult to turn a blind eye to twitters influence when you consider most every media today references the social media giant. By using the #hashtag companies and individuals can create trends, which can be global or specific depending on their relevance and reach. The use of #hashtags locally or even nationally can mean that we too can have a voice and get in on the conversation.

 #jobfairy

One #hashtag that has become very useful in Ireland is #jobfairy, If a company or individual is advertising a position they can put the word out on twitter by tagging the tweet with the relevant #hashtag in this case its #jobfairy. To then view tweets with this #hashtag we use the search bar at the top of Twitter. The jobfairy hashtag has become very popular with many companies advertising positions using it. Because twitter is so instant it is very easy to be quick to act when a position becomes available.

 I get it, but can it actually help me get a job.

At the end of the day, I can’t speak for anyone but myself. Another tool in your jobsearch can’t be a bad thing though. I find twitter to be a great place to connect with influential people in the industry you wish to work in. By being involved in their circles you can see who they connect with, what their tweets are about, what their interests are etc. It will give you a feel for the industry you want to work in and keep you clued in to what is going on.


Keith Byrne

Digital media manager at NCU Training

Making a great CV

A well made CV is your passport to a world of opportuinity. In this Series of blog posts, Geraldine White discusses what makes a great CV by giving pointers, tips and tutorials on CV building, cover letter writing, references and interviews.

Here are some tips to follow when writing your CV:

  1. Professionally presented (well structured in chronological order, good grammer, spell checked.)
  2. Simple (less is more.)
  3. Clean, Clear and concise (easy to read.)
  4. Be truthful (integrity is vital.)
  5. Direct (get to key points quickly.)
  6. Regularly update your CV with new achievements, experience etc.
  7. Highlight clearly your strengths & values and how you can use these in the job.
  8. Convince prospective employers you have the right skills, experience, behaviour, & attitude, they are looking for (Better the match – more likely you will be called for interview.)
  9. Ideally 1 or 2 A4 (plain white) pages will impress & impact more than lots of detail spread over 3/4 pages.
  10. Leave out irrelevant or negative information (sell yourself.)
  11. Use headings/sub-headings, bullet points.
  12. Remember First impressions count – a sloppy unprofessional CV will be interpreted as a reflection of the sender.

 

Geraldine White

CE officer at NCU LTD

Introduction to the NCU Blog

Greetings

Hello all and welcome to the new NCU blog. This blog will help us to share our content with you and will become our watercooler for news and information. We have a number of tutors on board developing original content from tutorials and tips and tricks to articles and informative resources. So watch this space and enjoy.

So what is a blog?

The word “blog” is short for “weblog”. Blogs became popular in the 90’s when web publishing tools where developed allowing the regular internet user to self publish content without any previous html experience. Much like a magazine with it’s various articles contained inside, a blog is an post driven webpage. A post on a blog is much like an article and can contain text, images, video and web applications. Unlike a magazine a blog post has the ability to be interactive as it’s housed on the internet.

Why is a blog important?

The arrival of more portable connected devices means that our hunger for information has increased, to feed this hunger we must stay up to date with current methods of delivering content. A blog is a perfect variable for any website looking to add regular new content. A regularly updated blog will help your website to get repeat traffic as you build subscribers as well as building trust with the more popular search engines.

Keith Byrne

Web Administrator at NCU training.