Category Archives: News

Careers Advice, Networking, News, No, PMO, Project Management

APMG-International Showcase UK

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Today I will be attending the APMG-International Showcase UK formally Best Practice Showcase in London – this is, in my experience, one of the more professionally run and useful exhibitions to attend for the PPM domain. The line up this year is a little smaller in comparison to previous years’ events however good things come in small packages. The line up planned promises to be very informative and the birds of a feather sessions tend to prove to be beneficial for those wanting a more intimate session where your questions will be heard.

This event in years past has always proven very popular with the senior project management professionals and makes for a great networking opportunity whether you are seeking a new role or simply seeking others who may be able to share their knowledge on delivering success.

It is good practice as a PPM professional to attend such events to assist you will be keeping abreast of current methods, new training workshops, PPM tools, etc. Networking is not something which everyone is naturally born with however practice makes perfect so do not be intimidated and use this as a great way to start – project management is all about networking and growing your networks is essential in the modern world.

I hope to see some of you today – please feel free to come and find me and enjoy your day!

For details of the event, please visit the APMG website here.

Careers Advice, Cover letters, CV Tips, CV Writing, News, PMO, Project Management

Professional CV writing service – what can I expect?

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There is a stigma attached to professional CV writing services – candidates being charged extortionate fees for a CV which isn’t true to them, I have seen the result of such work over the years as a recruiter which is one of the key reasons I started this business. It is important that your CV is personal to you, not just a list of skills which reads more like a job description. Having spent a number of years working in project management delivering projects and setting up support systems for project teams and then specialising in recruiting project management staff across all sectors and industries in permanent, contract and temporary roles I have decided to dedicate my knowledge and experience to assisting project people in achieving their career goals. As a consultant in this field and having provided careers advice for 5 years to project professionals and those entering the field I am in a good position to be able to really understand you and translate your background into terminology and information which is sought after in the project management field.

When engaging in our services you will work closely with me to understand the “whys” and together we will create a CV which not only markets you exceptionally in the field – it is true to you and will assist you in gaining interviews for roles which are right for you. I think we’ve all been sent to an interview by a recruiter and wondered why we are there as the role is not relevant to our skills!! By having a clear CV which tells the reader about your abilities in a professional format you will avoid such inconveniences and more importantly – will gain you the interviews for the roles you really want.

At The CV Righter we do not believe one size fits all for CVs which is why all the sessions and the final product served to you is tailored to you and your circumstances. You will never sit in an interview and be asked about something on your CV which you do not understand or have little exposure to. We don’t look to make up information but to take the experience you have and ensure it is understood by the reader. We will go through the finished CV with you (once you are happy with it) to ensure you understand all the terminology and are comfortable with it. In addition to this, based on your circumstances, we will offer you addition advice about taking that next step into securing a new role.

For a professionally written CV which is true to you – not just a template and a list of skills, make contact today to see how we can assist you. We perform a free CV review to get the ball rolling and discuss your circumstances to understand how we can support you. www.thecvrigther.co.uk

Friday Snippet, Networking, News, No, PMO, Project Management

APMG-International Showcase UK (formally Best Practice Showcase) – Friday Snippet

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It’s that time of year again where programme, project and portfolio professionals come together for the annual APMG-International Showcase UK. This is a must see event for anyone working within the project management domain and is of particular interest to senior PM, PgM and PfM professionals. The event is based around structured sessions both interactive Birds of a Feather sessions which are a more intimate session sat around a table in smaller groups to larger presentations.

Date of the event: Thursday 28th June

With sessions around portfolio management collaborative working, maturing your EPM solution, managing benefits and PPM qualifications to name a few – there is something for everyone. Programme list here.

As well as these great sessions this is a prime opportunity for you to network with your peers and hopefully walk away with some ideas, solutions and new business connections.

The event is free and based at the QEII Conference Centre – nearest tubes are Westminster and St James Park.

Register online and make sure you book into any sessions which are of particular interest as they fill up quickly. Even if you cannot take the entire day out from the office – it is worth popping across the city for a few hours.

I will be attending the event as a delegate and look forward to seeing you there – come and say hello.

Careers Advice, News, No

Steve Clarke pleads for work at the roadside

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I read with great interest the article in the Daily Mail dated 20th June 2012 – an unemployed man from Bolton who is at the end of his tether trying to secure a new role after being made redundant 11 months ago. Steve Clarke, previously a Quality Assurance Engineer has made over 300 applications in this time with little result, only 5 interviews. In a bid to try and draw some attention and a fantastic PR stunt (although I am not sure it was premeditated); Steve sat on a chair by the roadside in Bolton with a homemade placard stating: “Willing to work. Job required. Steve 07584420914”.

The article drew my interest as I have worked with hundreds of unemployed people who suffer frustration at not being able to find work – upsetting when they actually really want to work. I saddens me to see such desperation but also warms my heart to see the determination one man has to secure some work and stop his house from being repossessed. The government through the DWP once offered a scheme called the jobsearch support scheme which allocated funds the jobcentre plus to put customers forward to professionally trained organisations geared to assisting the likes of Steve. Unfortunately this funding was pulled in March 2011 and I cannot help but think that such a scheme would be ideal for Steve. As Steve has not been unemployed before he has little exposure to how the job market works in the current climate and as such this lack of knowledge and understanding puts him behind his competitors for a new role.

This isn’t the first attempt to secure a new job buy standing in the street with placards and I am sure it won’t be the last time it is reported. I only hope the publicity from Steve’s campaign secures him some leads and he is soon back in employment.

Could we be doing more? Yes, I think we could! My personal contribution towards assisting those in a vulnerable position is to offer a free CV review – by talking through the CV and offering constructive advice which you can take away with you and make changes to your document, I like to feel I am giving something back. I would be interested in other organisations who offer free assistance and advice to job seekers as it would be an ideal opportunity to create a repository of information and guidance to make sure we do not have more desperate approaches to finding a job.