Benefits of working with us
CV Tips

Assemble the facts and list all the information you need to include in your CV
- Personal details that will tell us a little about who you are.
- Up to date contact details on how to reach you.
- A chronological list of your qualifications.
- The responsibilities of each of your previous roles.
- Notable achievements you enjoyed at each of your employers.
- This information will form the basis of your CV.

Now you must write up this information in a way that sells you and your background to potential employers. Try to tailor your Curriculum Vitae to your ideal next step, whether a particular job/specialism or organisation/sector.
- Write in a professional and commercially aware style.
- Demonstrate how you could benefit a prospective employer.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Don’t leave any unexplained gaps – if you have travelled or been out of work, say so.
- Work in reverse chronological order, i.e. list your most recent role first.
- Ensure sentences are no longer than about 15 words.
- Create an impact with appropriate action words e.g. successfully achieved…, energetically lead…

Now that you have the content of your CV, you now need to focus on the layout, to ensure it creates a favourable visual impression.
- Word-process your CV, e.g. using Microsoft Word.
- Keep to two pages maximum certainly no more than four.
- Employ an A4 portrait style.
- Stick to a white background, and don’t include any decorative borders.
- Choose a black font and a simple typeface – use this style consistently.
- Highlight headings using italics or bold; avoid capitals and underlining.
- Keep paragraphs under five lines long. Use bullet points sparingly instead.
- Stay reader friendly by using lots of ‘white space’.
- Use good quality white/cream paper when printing your CV. Avoid special effects such as binding.

You should now have created your own CV. It will read well, look great and be the ultimate sales tool to represent you.
Interview Advice
Firstly the obvious things, check and double-check the date, time and location of your interview, making sure you have allowed for travelling delays in your timings.
Next make sure you have done your homework on not only the organisation itself but also the person who will be conducting the meeting. (Your consultant at Life Plus will be able to provide good background information on the company and role, as well as an insight into the people you are likely to meet.)
Preparing for your interview in advance and knowing your facts is essential if you are to succeed. You will be asked questions directly related to the position, industry and organisation – if you do not display a good understanding of these; it will hinder your progress in the process.
You will also be asked about your experience so it is always a good idea to prepare some anecdotes from within your career that may closely relate to the job in order to demonstrate your competencies.
First impressions are critical; psychologists will tell you that you are evaluated within seconds of contact, so it’s worth paying attention to your visual presence to make sure you’re perceived as a visual fit for the company.
Typically this means professional business dress, but add your own style, by accessorising. If you feel good about how you look, you will demonstrate this with confidence and confidence is its own style!
Also, think about your body language. A strong handshake when you first meet your interviewer is always received well. Follow this with regular eye contact throughout the interview. This will suggest confidence and more importantly, integrity in what you are saying and also may put the interviewer at ease.
Of course an interview is about you selling yourself for the role. However, listening is also vital. An interview is essentially a conversation, so it is important to listen to what you are being told. When asked a question, write it down if you like, so you can focus on answering the question directly. Be open and honest and also animated when you can be.
Enthusiasm is so important! Your interviewer wants to see that you are interested, so demonstrate this to them. If you are faced with a difficult question, stay calm and take a minute to think about your answer. If you really don’t know the answer, say so. Your interviewer will be more impressed by you being honest then stumbling through an ill-considered answer.
Interviews are a two way meeting, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and relate back to your experience throughout the interview. This will confirm your interest and enthusiasm, creating a stronger rapport with your interviewer.
Most interviews follow a similar structure – introductions, an overview of the role/company, a set of questions from the employer to help establish your suitability and then an opportunity for you to ask questions before concluding the meeting.
Remember to be factual and concise whilst avoiding one-word answers, stay calm and consider any response for a moment. The key is to remain positive, rely on the preparation you have done and be honest.
With most of the hard work behind you, ensure you end the interview well. Leaving that lasting impression is key!
- If you have enjoyed the interview and you are impressed with what you have seen in the company and heard about the role, be sure to say so, before you leave.
- Ask about the next stage in the recruitment process. Will there be a further interview or a direct decision?
- Ask the interviewer if they have any reservations about your suitability to the role (If they do then this is your chance to put their mind at ease before you leave)
- If you are keen, leave the interviewer in no doubt that you want the role. This could be the clincher between you and someone else, who may not have shown the same levels of enthusiasm. Wanting the job is a critical criterion to an employer – Let them know it!
Refer a friend
Friends make life a lot more fun!
At Life Plus, we love to meet new healthcare professionals and reward our candidates for introducing them.
Know someone who would benefit from our fantastic opportunities? ‘Refer a friend’ to us and receive a thankyou bonus for each successful referral (terms and conditions apply, speak to your recruitment consultant to find out more).
The best part is there is no limit to the number of referrals you can make. More successful referrals equal’s bigger and better rewards – it’s that simple!