1.A good place to start is obtaining your past job descriptions and brainstorming about your job duties, achievments, and skills. No need to worry about format at first. Once you have gathered all relevant information for the CV, you can begin to put it into the suggested CV format.

2. Use action verbs to describe your skills, duties and accomplishments such as:
Acheived, Planned, Managed, Implemented, Represented, Completed, Handled, Supervised, Designed, Coordinated, Organised. (remember to use the past tense)

3. Edit and Proofread. This will be your marketing tool. A good, error free CV will be key to getting your foot in the door for job interviews! It is recommended that you use good quality cream or white paper to help make a good impression.

Do's and Don'ts of CV writing

www.loadzajobs.co.uk/news_details.asp?id=179

Hints and Tips from the Career Service

http://www.careersserviceni.com/Cultures/en-GB/FindAJob/GeneralInfo/Writing++a+CV.htm

CV tips from Manpower

http://www.manpower.co.uk/jobseekers/career_advice/main_cv.asp

Adding keywords to your CV will make it memorable and interesting to hiring managers. This article lists some important keywords in construction and engineering trades, and suggests how you can use them to get noticed.

Click on the link for tips on cover letter writing and to view a sample cover letter.

In addition to searching for jobs on line, be sure to post your CV so employers can search for you too!

The support Program Participants receive from their home governments (DEL and FAS) doesn't end when you leave the Program.
DEL and FAS have expert job center staff, informative web pages, and other resources to support your job search or training ambitions. In addition, they have job data bases which allow you to upload your CV for employers to review. Click on the link for DEL and FAS contact details and additional links to the DEL and FAS job data banks.

The Walsh Visa Program maintains links with Recruitment Agencies in Belfast, Mullingar, and Dublin. Our contacts know the Program, and they know the local employment marketplace. They are happy to help alumni with their job search. You can get their names and contact details by clicking on the link above.

Preparation and research are keys to successful interviews. Click on the link below to check out Ten Rules of Interviewing and common interview questions.

After the interview, it's a nice touch to follow up with a thank you note to the interviewer to thank them for their time, re-state your interest in the job and your qualificaitons.

If you do not hear back with in four or five days after the interivew or whithin the stated time frame, don't hesistate to follow up with a phone call to check on the status of your application. This also shows your interest in the position.

Clink on the link below to check out the list of Universities and Training Institutes.

The information is primarily aimed at those who are coming back to Ireland after a very long time abroad, but Walsh Visa Alumni may find some of the 'Returning to Ireland Factsheets' useful. Topics covered include:

-- Health Care -- Education -- Accomodation -- Find a Job
-- Banking and Finance -- Taxes -- Pensions
-- Benefits and Entitlements -- Support Groups
-- Driving in Ireland -- Irish Citizenship
-- Bringing your pet to Ireland
-- Voting in Ireland

Also, email info@emigrantadvice.ie with any questions.

Going home is great, but there will be a period of adjustment. You've grown and changed during your time on the program--but so have family, friends, and other things back home. Click on the link above for ideas on what to expect, and how to deal with the 'Re-entry Blues' if they do strike.