PurpleLine Consulting

Unless you're starting out in your career or returning after a career break (enforced or otherwise!), most of us have limited experience of going for interviews. So if you're looking for a job and you've been invited for interview, you've done well to get over that first hurdle.

Starting to look for a job can feel like quite a challenge, especially if you haven't done it before or for some time.

Whether you're applying for your first job, a few years into your career or a senior manager with lots of experience under your belt there are a number of traps which you can fall into with your CV. Seeking a second opinion from someone who has a lot of recruitment experience can help you set yours apart.

Here are my tips for making your CV stand out - and in a positive way.

What is it for you? Your boring job? A relationship that's not working? Your dream that you keep putting off? I'd guarantee that there's (at least) one area of your life that you're not happy with, that you feel stuck in or resistance about tackling.

It is so important to have a list of questions to ask at job interviews which really enable you to assess what an organisation is like to work for and most importantly, whether it's a good fit with you.

For the past 3 years I have chosen a word to guide me for the year. It's an idea I got from Ali Edwards, an inspiring designer, blogger and author I follow.

... when you've got a bit more time than usual and have the opportunity to look back at how 2013 was for you and consider what you'd like 2014 to bring.

Coaching can be pretty hard to explain to someone. It's something we coaches often struggle with! But the results that you can achieve with the support of a coach are remarkable.

Human beings love work, we need work. Work gives us meaning and purpose as well as income.

Think of the women after the end of World War II who didn't want to return to being housewives after the new roles they'd had during the war, while men were engaged in fighting or supporting the war effort. They'd found something more meaningful and useful to do with their time.

For many people work is something that fills Monday to Friday and pays the bills. Do you recognise the signs?