Getting Your CV Noticed in Mining: A Recap Article

Whenever you’re in pursuit of a new role, especially in tight markets like we currently see it’s essential to have a document that conveys your full experience, competencies, and skills in order to be at the top of the pack. Here are some helpful tips for ensuring your CV will assist you in getting that job – at the end of the day, it’s like a marketing brochure!

Always include contact details – some jobs are filled overnight so don’t miss out on that dream role just because you’ve accidentally left your number and/or email out.

I see CVs every day. What I don’t see is people using a professional font like Calibri or Arial. This is always number one or two for making your CV look ‘the part’. However, if it looks the part but many words are misspelled then this is equally as bad. Proofreading AND spell checking are vital.

Personal preferences aside hiring managers will always prefer concise CVs with clear punchy sentences. Why not utilise bullet points rather than paragraph upon paragraph of experiences and skills? Remember you’re looking for a job not a publisher for your autobiography.

K.I.S.S – As well as being a great rock band in the 80s and also a romantic gesture – K.I.S.S in this instance stands for Keep it Short and Simple. Communication on site and in any office is of ultimate importance – don’t try and sell yourself by writing everything you did in a role or being too technical- use the interview to convey the greater detail of your technical skills and experience. Use your CV to bait the hiring manager into wanting to interview you. This can be done by using short, sharp, and accurate details of your work experience and skills, for example, if you were a Metallurgist on a lead-zinc operation that underwent an expansion, a simple bullet point or two to highlight your involvement in the project, the plant used and any key achievements would suffice.

Chronologically set out your school/university/working life from most recent to earliest. In mining what you did most recently will mean more to them than what you did 15 years ago as a graduate.

I always follow the guidelines of careers up to 7 years; 2 pages is sufficient, 7-10 years; 3 pages and 10+ years; 4 pages – don’t take this as gospel but it’s a good template for ease of reading and keeping the reader’s attention.

For mining roles when discussing past work always include; The DATES you worked there, the COMPANY name, the SITE/LOCATION, the POSITION and then 3-4 key points about your experiences and skills learned. If you did use certain software packages then include that too.

Try and utilise keywords in each bullet point at the beginning of each sentence. I’m talking about words that every hiring manager likes to see. Examples are; increased, reduced, improved, accelerated, produced, budgeted, launched, identified, eliminated, led, and managed

And finally, customise your CV as required… No two jobs will be the same and in markets like mining where the market can take effect overnight you’ll never know when you may have to step up or step back. Keeping two CVs up to date for two positions you have experience do will be advantageous as it allows you to be agile and flexible in difficult and booming markets.

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PART II

So, here we are again.?

A year has passed since the last post with my personal hints and tips on what we, as recruiters, notice being highly regarded in CVs?within the mining industry.?

This blog will be a little more pinpointed to particular things that I see can be altered or customised to make your CV or resume a ''must'' for the hiring manager or recruiter when it comes to interviewing time.?

Please note, that these alterations will not guarantee you interviews but it's things I have personally noticed in my time in mining.

Where do I put my?education details?

I get this a lot. Usually, I'm a fan of putting the degree or education details as one of the last things. And here's why...

1. Everything else in your resume is in reverse chronological order (recent to earliest), so why shouldn't your education be as well??

2. If you DON'T happen to have a degree (and let's face it, 99% of mining jobs require a degree as per the job descriptions) why would you put it at the top of your CV which could automatically 'disqualify' you from the process. Let your experience go first and then let them question if a degree is all that necessary in the first place. Trust me on this one, I've seen it for myself.?It won't work all of the time, but sometimes, it does.?

3. As an academic, you often sit behind desks or are as 'green as green can be'. Working the daily grind can change you and give you experience than alters your methodologies from school. The person you are today is probably far removed from the straight-A student you were in college/university.?

Many Positions for One Company

This is a process?I use a lot when assisting?people I represent with their CVs. If you've been good enough to progress during your tenure at a company it's completely right that you show each role you worked there....?

BUT....

Before detailing each individual role combine all roles and dates you worked there into one heading so the person reading understands that you've not 'jumped around' from company to company, from job to job. An example of this would be if you worked for BHP as a Junior Mine Geologist and worked up to Chief Mine Geologist in the space of 10 years. This is how I would set it out on a resume;

2001-2011 BHP - (INSERT LOCATION(S) HERE)?

Dec 2009 - Sept 2011 Chief Mine Geologist - (Insert Location)

Synopsis of role/ Brief Outline of role?

• Responsibility 1
• Responsibility 2
• Responsibility 3
• Achievement?1
• Achievement?2
• Achievement?3

?Apr 2005 - Dec 2009 Senior?Mine Geologist - (Insert Location)

Synopsis of role/ Brief Outline of role?

• Responsibility 1
• Responsibility 2
• Responsibility 3
• Achievement?1
• Achievement?2
• Achievement?3

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And so on...

The above also shows the company you worked for trusted you and believed in your skills in order to make the step up rather than recruiting externally.?

Cover Letters?

I find these outdated, personally. I've said it in a past blog that I think your time is better spent outlining your synergy to the job you're applying for in bullet point form. This will allow you or the recruiter representing you to clearly and concisely illustrate your candidacy.?

Now, I know that some companies still ask for cover letters but the handy thing about the bullet points is that;

1. They can be used across multiple cover letters

2. They can be added directly to cover letters.

Cover letters will have to be broken down sentence by sentence in order to be translated into bullet points so the former is more lasting and effective than the latter.

Consultancies or EPC Employees

The consultants and contractors of this world are synonymous with working on a multitude of different projects. Do you include all of them in your CV?

My answer is both ''Yes'' AND ''No''.

Let me explain...

If you worked on a site for 1-2 months and nothing 'major' happened add it but don't go into too much detail.

If you worked at a site for a long time, worked on a major project or there was a major part you played in the success/turnaround then add it.

But always add the dates of when you worked at each site and for how long.

Simultaneously - if you did work somewhere on a contract basis it might be worth mentioning that. This is just to avoid hiring managers/ our clients getting the wrong idea and thinking you were let go for ''bad'' reasons... (such pessimists (just kidding)).?

Length of CV

Another point I touch upon in Volume 1 is the length of CVs. I'm not going to delve back into that right now but all I want to add is this:

Focus on quality writing and the?quality?of the accountabilities and achievements rather than the?quantity. My mum made fantastic?lists for?our weekly shop when I was young... Basically, lists have their place. Your CV is?not?in that place.?

The Dreaded End Bit...

Do I include references?

Do I add my personal interests?

What about the sites I've visited or books I've published?

All valid questions.

Include referees if you know the referees are happy to vouch for you. If they aren't and want to be contacted by?you?prior to someone else calling them out of the blue then do not include them?

I live and die by the simple route. Include some personal interests if you want. It'll show you're human. If not - I don't think it'll deter a company from interviewing you. The reason I say this is because you'll never know if the hiring manager also plays hockey (or whatever sport/hobby you have).?INSTANT?RAPPORT!

If your publication or site visit is linked to the company or the particular role, then include it. It'll avoid the list conundrum again. Easy!

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And there we go...?

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Comment below if you have anything to add or give your views and experiences of what works for you. However, please remember this is only an opinion, and really, above all, it is all based on what you're comfortable with and what you want to do.?