NEWS
C A R EER
Professional development tips for executive-level PAs
INDUSTRY EXPERT INDUSTRY EXPERT
ALEX JONES ANTHONY CARTHEW
CV hacks that work When the shoe fits
We all know that applying for a new job can
be a time-consuming and sometimes all-
encompassing task, with your CV your first
opportunity to impress a recruiter and hiring
manager. Thankfully there are a few tips that will
help you quickly and successfully boost your CV
and stand out when you next apply for a job.
The first is to make good use of a professional
summary by using it to pitch yourself as an expert.
Tailor it with relevant keywords, include specific
applicable experience and prove your unique
selling proposition. Don’t waste time listing
objectives or generalisations; focus instead on
what differentiates you from similar candidates.
Next, add facts, statistics and links throughout
the experience section of your CV as proof you
did your previous jobs well. After all, hiring
managers don’t want to read what you think
about yourself—they want proof that you possess
the skills you claim to have. You should also add
digital evidence to bring your claims to life, such
as online reviews of an event you organised.
Remember to put yourself in the thick of the
action. Using phrases such as ‘I was involved in’
or ‘I assisted in’ implies that you were a bystander
not instigator in the task described. Instead, use
strong action verbs and own your individual
results and successes.
Make sure every word works for you. After all,
CVs should be limited to two pages, so remove
superfluous words or experience to free up space
for the skills and successes that are most relevant
to the job you are applying for. Bullet points
are a simple way to highlight key information
succinctly while also keeping the document
format tidy.
Finally, treat your CV as a ‘living’ document by
updating it as soon as you undertake any activity
that further demonstrates your skills, successes
and ability to add value to an organisation. This
allows you to respond quickly with an up-to-
date CV when a suitable opportunity becomes
available. S One of the great things about being an EA is
the ability to traverse a range of organisations and
sectors easily. But having lots of options can be
challenging. Am I really in the right place? Do the
values of my organisation sit well with me? Do I
feel like I’m actually achieving something that’s
important?
These questions can eat away at you.
Muhammad Ali famously declared: “It isn’t the
mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s
the pebble in your shoe.” As we all know, today’s
EA faces a never-ending onslaught of pebbles—
emails, meeting requests, travel bookings, and
that random task my boss and I affectionately
call the “last dot point”. So how do we rise above
everything to find EA fulfilment?
I found my true fit at the Sydney Opera House
as EA to the CEO and Head of Protocol, balancing
a love of theatre and all things sparkling with a
nerdy desire to organise and assist. But getting
there took a while, years in fact, with jobs in
health, education, recruitment and fashion.
Even my role at the Opera House is nothing
like it was in 2006. By constantly looking for
opportunities that will benefit both me and
the House, I’ve taken on managing a team
of EAs, overseeing arrangements for visiting
kings, queens and the occasional president,
and leading projects such as the Opera House’s
first Mardi Gras float. All that was possible not
only because I was good at my job, but because
I love the subject matter and am inspired by the
organisation and its community.
It can be easy to focus on the pebbles, but
it’s vital to embrace change and to think about
the bigger picture: am I really in sync with my
organisation, or my boss? Can I be my authentic
self at the office? Do I see how my work
contributes to the greater whole?
I still marvel at those iconic sails on my morning
approach along East Circular Quay, even after 13
years.
You know when the shoe fits. S
Alex Jones is senior regional director at Hays Office Support Anthony Carthew is EA to the CEO of Sydney Opera House
66 Chief of Staff | Issue 2 2019