Executive PA Australasia Issue 2 2019 | Page 66

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