Advance Your Career with Strive Technical

Your CV is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it is essential that it presents your experience, skills, and achievements in the strongest possible light. A well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.

Start with a compelling personal statement of two to three sentences that summarises your professional identity, key strengths, and what you are looking for. Tailor this to each application where possible. Avoid generic phrases such as "hardworking team player" and instead focus on specific, measurable achievements.

Structure your experience in reverse chronological order, leading with your most recent role. For each position, include your job title, the company name, dates of employment, and a concise description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use bullet points and begin each with a strong action verb such as "delivered," "managed," "optimised," or "implemented."

Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Rather than stating "improved team performance," write "increased team productivity by 22% over six months through the introduction of streamlined workflows and targeted training." Numbers provide concrete evidence of your impact.

Keep your CV to two pages maximum. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, use a clean and professional layout, and save it as a PDF to preserve formatting. Include relevant keywords from the job description to ensure your CV passes through applicant tracking systems.

Thorough preparation is the cornerstone of interview success. Candidates who research the company, practise their responses, and prepare thoughtful questions consistently outperform those who do not.

Research the company extensively before your interview. Study their website, recent news, annual reports, and social media presence. Understand their products or services, company culture, competitors, and strategic direction. This knowledge allows you to tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

Prepare for competency-based questions using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Identify five or six key examples from your career that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, managing conflict, and delivering under pressure. Practise articulating these examples clearly and concisely.

First impressions matter. Dress appropriately for the company culture, arrive ten to fifteen minutes early, and bring printed copies of your CV. Maintain positive body language throughout: make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, sit upright, and smile naturally. These non-verbal cues communicate confidence and professionalism.

Always prepare two or three thoughtful questions for the interviewer. Ask about team dynamics, upcoming projects, opportunities for professional development, or how success is measured in the role. Avoid asking about salary or benefits in a first interview unless the interviewer raises it.

Negotiating your salary can feel daunting, but it is a normal and expected part of the hiring process. Employers anticipate that strong candidates will negotiate, and doing so professionally demonstrates confidence and self-awareness.

Before entering any negotiation, research the market rate for your role, sector, and location. Use salary surveys, industry reports, and recruitment agency guides to understand what professionals with your level of experience and qualifications typically earn. This gives you a data-driven foundation for your discussions.

Consider the full package, not just the base salary. Benefits such as pension contributions, bonus structures, flexible working arrangements, private healthcare, professional development budgets, and additional annual leave all carry significant value. Sometimes a slightly lower salary with excellent benefits offers a better overall package.

When presenting your case, focus on the value you bring rather than personal financial needs. Reference specific achievements, skills, and qualifications that justify your desired salary. For example, "Based on my eight years of experience in compliance and my track record of building teams from scratch, I believe a salary of X reflects the value I would bring to this role."

Be prepared to compromise. If the employer cannot meet your salary expectations, explore alternatives such as a salary review after a probationary period, additional benefits, or a sign-on bonus. A collaborative approach to negotiation sets a positive tone for the working relationship.

Changing careers is a significant decision, but it is increasingly common in today's dynamic job market. Many of the professionals we place have successfully transitioned between sectors or disciplines, and with the right strategy, a career change can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Start by honestly assessing your transferable skills. Abilities such as project management, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, leadership, and communication are valued across virtually every sector. Map your existing skills against the requirements of your target role and identify any gaps that need to be addressed.

Invest in relevant qualifications or training to bridge any skills gaps. This might include professional certifications, short courses, or even volunteering in a related capacity. Many employers value candidates who have proactively upskilled, as it demonstrates commitment and initiative.

Leverage your network. Speak with professionals already working in your target sector or role. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and use LinkedIn strategically to build connections. Informational interviews can provide invaluable insights and sometimes lead directly to opportunities.

Be patient and realistic about the transition timeline. A career change rarely happens overnight, and you may need to accept a lateral move or a slight step back in seniority initially. However, with a clear plan and persistent effort, most professionals find that the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term sacrifices.

LinkedIn is the most powerful professional networking platform in the world, and an optimised profile dramatically increases your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers. Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary sourcing tool, making a strong profile essential for any active or passive job seeker.

Your headline is the most important element of your profile. Rather than simply listing your current job title, craft a headline that communicates your expertise and value proposition. For example, instead of "Finance Manager at XYZ Ltd," try "Senior Finance Professional | FP&A, Budgeting & Strategic Planning | Driving Commercial Performance."

Write a compelling About section that tells your professional story. Outline your career journey, key achievements, areas of expertise, and what you are passionate about. Write in the first person to create a personal connection with readers, and include relevant keywords that recruiters might search for.

Detail your experience thoroughly, mirroring the best practices of CV writing. Include quantified achievements, key responsibilities, and notable projects for each role. Add media such as presentations, reports, or project summaries where appropriate to provide tangible evidence of your work.

Engage actively on the platform. Share industry insights, comment thoughtfully on posts in your sector, publish articles, and participate in relevant groups. Regular engagement increases your profile visibility in search results and positions you as a knowledgeable professional in your field. Request recommendations from colleagues, managers, and clients to add social proof to your profile.