Careers in IT are about specialism, so when you write your CV, if you have had many roles, you need to focus on one core area as your job function. Trying to say that you do everything can mean you are relevant for everything but suitable for nothing. So think about which of these to focus on:

•Project Management

Worst CV mistakes

• Using PDF instead of Word
• Not putting your phone number, address or email details and, these days, your LinkedIn address
• Not listing your technical skills by name (which ERP Product? Which CRM product?)
• Expecting “fast learner” to be unique……..
• Not spell checking? Surely everyone has that technology at their fingertips
• A thoughtless email address – fairydonkeys@, lazysod@ etc etc
• Not mentioning what business area each of your employers were involved in
• Using the job title your company gives you rather than an appropriate job title for your actual role

Before you start looking for a new job think about whether you can change what you do where you work now.

Shine the light on what skills you have gained since your last pay review, how hard you have worked, extra hours you have put in and what you have accomplished and try to avoid threatening your employer with leaving.

The right and wrong questions at the end of an interview

At the end of an interview you will be more often than not be asked if you have any questions.

Job Board Tip

I was thinking about what experience people need on their CV’s to make them more employable and I have broken it into 3 areas:

Implementation Consultant CV’s

Application Support CV’s

Sales CV’s

You have probably never thought about it, but it will probably cost your employer about one third of your annual salary to replace you, because they will have to pay:

• Current 'market rates' to their new hire
• A recruitment fee
• A contractor to cover you in the interim period
• Training for your replacement
• The cost of disruption will be significant

So, if you are thinking of changing jobs because you are unhappy about your role or your salary, you are at your most valuable to your current employer.

Think about your reasons for leaving and what is making you unhappy (and sometimes they are things that cannot be changed).

But it is much better to have a frank discussion with your manager about your career prospects or your package than threaten to resign. You do not need another job offer in your hand to ask for a pay rise or a promotion.

However, if after that discussion they cannot put firm plans in place and you cannot fulfil your potential where you are, then it is a good time to look at other job options, knowing you are certain it is the right thing to do.