The CV Central

Frequently Asked Questions

Daniël Meiring — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:15:48 +0000

Aren’t your CVs too expensive?

This is simply not the case. Our CVs are some of the most competitively priced CVs in South Africa. Most writing services charge a fee starting from R1000 per CV and up, and then you get the lot that charge you R35 a pop. Or better yet, free templates. But we offer 3 distinctively different products to choose from to suit your budget and needs. We understand that during these times money can be a problem, and that is why we have kept our prices affordable. A well designed professional CV will increase your chances of finding a job or climb the corporate ladder, and the benefits of finding employment will more than justify the cost of your brand new resume.

Remember it’s not only a CV, its the document that must communicate with recruiters and your potential future employer. You are competing with hundreds if not thousands of applicants out there, and you need to stand out. Included in our costs is more than 12 years worth of recruitment experience at your fingertips. You will get a direct line to your very own personal CV writer, and a clear professional copy will always be available at the press of a button, should you need it.

If I'm using a recruitment agency, does my CV's design still matter?

Yes it does. You still need to capture the attention and interest of the consultant working at the recruitment agency. Design and layout are always of utmost importance, whether you are working through an agency or applying directly to the company of your dreams. Make sure you stand out from the other applicants while also optimizing your ranking as determined by applicant tracking system (ATS) algorithms.

My current CV looks good, why am I not getting feedback from my applications?

At The CV Central, we understand the pressures associated with job hunting. The process can sometimes be tedious and demotivating. We understand the anxiety when recruiters don’t call back, or when that interview that “went so well” yield results. Sometimes even when your CV looks good, it simply does not return the results you expect. In a world flooded with CVs, you need to make sure yours stand out from the crowd. It needs to highlight your competencies and demonstrate your growth in the correct manner. Sometimes even the slightest spacing issues or smallest spelling mistakes can derail your efforts. There is no harm in having it assessed by professionals.

On the best looking CV, an incorrectly typed contact number or email address can cost you dearly. The Golden Rule is to double-check, and then check again.

Why use The CV Central?

At The CV Central we look deeper than just your CV. We promote growth paths and highlight your core competencies. We include your Top Skills and can custom make your CV to include a whole range of matrixes. One of our popular design elements include a Language Spectrum in a visual format for those of you who have mastered multiple languages, which is a sure sign of intelligence, but people neglect to highlight that fact.

We make sure your Qualifications and Awards are included. People underestimate the importance of awards and then forget to include that “Team Spirit Award” or worse, I have come across CVs where entire qualifications were missing. We identify gaps in information on your CV. Individuals neglect to record Promotions or “Team Leader” roles, and they need to show this in order to stand out from the crowd and get noticed.

The true value of our CVs is leveraged by more than 12 years of experience in the recruitment and selection sectors, and our ability to present the right information in such a way as to convey the targeted message to the person intended. This gives us an edge over other creative writers. Each individual CV is put through a rigorous screening process to ensure zero errors on completion. We give professional advice on each CV and it’s content thereof.

Can’t I just make use of a free template and make my own CV?

A good looking CV IS important, but our service covers more than mere aesthetics, given our experience in the Recruitment sector.

Keep in mind, like with some things in life, you are better off using a professional person’s services than going at it alone. You wouldn’t use unqualified person to do the job of a doctor or a lawyer, so why take a chance on something that can determine your career path? With our competitively priced products, rendered by people with extensive experience in the recruitment industry, there is no reason not to consider our services. The price you pay for a new CV will be a mere fraction of your next salary at your new job.

Is it guaranteed that I’ll get a job if my CV is done by The CV Central?

While we cannot guarantee jobs, we can guarantee that your chances of landing an interview will significantly increase. As explained in the answers above, we know what recruiters and employers are looking for when it comes to CVs. We use our extensive knowledge gathered in the recruitment industry to format and present your CV to something that will draw a recruiter or an employer’s attention.

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The importance of a CV

Daniël Meiring — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:51:14 +0000

Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but people do not understand the importance of their CVs. Whether they are looking for a new job, or trying to climb the corporate ladder, it seldom happens that you manage to do that without a good looking resume.
Even if you are connected these days, the administrative bureaucracy dictates that at some point you do need to submit a CV.

Google, why is a CV important and you will find; “A completed CV aims to impress recruiters and is sent as an application to jobs adverts or as a speculative approach to prospective companies.

CVs are valuable and important because they are your first and maybe only direct communication with a potential employer. Presentation is KEY.”

So why do people neglect their CVs? For the same reason they constantly complain that they do not get that “Call back”.

All because people do not understand the importance of their CV design.
People forget that a well-designed CV significantly increases their chances of landing a job. With your CV you cannot afford to disappoint. Times are tough and many people are looking for work. There are jobs out there, but you won’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. Take Peter Pyper’s CV as an example, would you hire him on his ‘before’ or ‘after’ CV?

Did you know that recruiters spend an average of 2 seconds on your CV before they decide whether you are going on the ‘In’ or ‘Out’ pile? This means your CV needs to impress first round. You’ll need to bring your A-game. With our field tested designs we can proudly say we give our clients an advantage. Each CV is put through a rigorous screening process to ensure zero errors on completion. We give in-depth professional advice on each CV and content thereof.

Imagine getting 100’s of CVs across your desk daily. How would you choose who to interview? Obviously, the CVs that stand out, the ones that make you take notice, right? Like it or not, initially, ‘books’ are judged by their covers. Have a look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of Peter Pyper’s CV and ask yourself which one will be favourable in landing Peter the interview?

An excellent CV has the power to open doors. Your resume should describe your qualifications as well as your unique qualities. For you to stand out amongst other applications, you need to demonstrate your strengths and capabilities without being in the room.

An excellent CV grabs the attention of the reader; it sells your strongest skills and accomplishments.

An excellent CV communicates effectively, and most importantly it gets you noticed.

Now for a last look at the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of Peter Pyper. Who will you choose to interview?

With industry specific specialisations and skills matrixes, our CVs are engaging and stir interest wherever viewed. Our first design ‘The Professional’ made waves in New Zealand, with feedback from United Kingdom, Italy and USA pouring in.

With record unemployment rates and millions of job seekers, one simply cannot afford to send out a mediocre CV, and I don’t know how anyone can let themselves do it. In my long and prosperous career in the recruitment industry, I have come across some interesting CVs. The biggest issues still remain; spelling mistakes, spacing issues and design layouts, reminiscent of something originating in the 90s. We even still see some “frame era” CVs, which were quite popular with the airline industry in some countries back in the 80s.

Have your CV assessed with us. The assessment is FREE and we offer you a confidential, professional CV consulting, editing and writing service at an unbeatable price. Our closest competitor is about three times more expensive than us. Our process is simple and easy to navigate, as we are reachable on virtually all platforms.

The cost of your CV redesign with The CV Central is minuscule compared to what you can gain from it.
You get industry insight straight from the source, while the true value of our CVs is leveraged by more than 12 years experience in the recruitment and selection sectors, and our ability to present the right information and convey the targeted message to the person intended, giving us the edge over other creative writers.

Job markets are opened up on Monday 1 June 2020. You need to bring your A-game. Sectors are already advertising vacancies, everyone needs to be prepared.

We will help you be first in line for that new job.

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There is always a job for the outstanding.

Daniël Meiring — Mon, 11 May 2020 08:38:27 +0000

There is always a job for outstanding people.

I wanted to write a short blog on the importance of getting your CV done professionally in this day and age. In my search to find out if there is indeed still work out there, I stumbled upon many scary statistics and realities. From businesses closing their doors after years of operation, to entire markets collapsing, many people are facing the grim reality of being laid off or being put on half time. Job scarcity is driving the importance of a well-designed, field tested CV.

What I saw in my research is that there are in fact jobs out there. Not as many as we would have hoped for, but there are. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Numbers might have changed since my research was done, so see latest statistics at https://www.bestjobs.co.za/jobs/
In Gauteng alone there were roughly 12 700 advertised vacancies in April 2020, followed by Western Cape (3 300) and KwaZulu-Natal (2 300).

This means companies are still employing! Yay, some good news in the grim world of business.

Job scarcity is definitely driving creativity. We need to start thinking out side the box if we want to succeed post COVID-19. Job scarcity is driving a flood of applicants to the recruiter’s door. In order to stand out from the rest you will need a well-designed CV. It’s as simple as that.

Imagine getting 100’s of CVs across your desk daily. How would you choose who to interview? Obviously, the CVs that stand out, the ones that make you take notice, right?

An excellent CV has the power to open doors. There are always jobs for people with outstanding CVs.

Your resume should describe your qualifications and what makes you unique. To stand out among other applicants, you need to demonstrate your strengths and capabilities without being in the room.
An excellent CV grabs the attention of the reader, it sells your strongest skills and accomplishments.
An excellent CV communicates your competencies and most importantly, it gets you noticed.

From what I could find, we still have a number of positions available in South Africa paying some pretty decent salaries. I wish the world would focus a bit more on the opportunities our beautiful country does have to offer, and a little less on the bad stuff.

In the professional sector alone we had roughly 6 300 Administrative/Clerical positions, in April 2020. A decline in Sales figures dropped to a sad 3 100, but I’m confident it will bounce back as soon as the markets fully open up again. Nothing happens without a sale.

Accounting / Finance and Customer Services accounted for well over 3 000 opportunities, adding the balance leads me to believe there are still jobs out there. Yes they are few and far between, but this highlights the importance of a well drafted, well executed CV that speaks to your strengths. There are always jobs for people with outstanding CVs.

But then it also goes beyond the CV. It’s about the way you carry yourself over the phone, your on-line etiquette and vocabulary. The interview stage is a daunting experience for us all. In my experience in the recruitment and selection industry I have seen the most accomplished candidates dive into the final goal posts and lose the job due to curse words, or over confidence. Recruiters can sense when you become too friendly and relaxed, which can create a bad impression. This can cost the most seasoned experts dearly. And then they wonder why they are not getting that final call back.

I have decided to share regular interview tips, CV tips and overall workplace etiquette tips via social media posts from time to time. We created our very first #tipstuesday post on Tuesday the 5th of May with 12 Tips of acing an online job interview. Go have a look on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram, let us know your thoughts. Many more will follow, but I hope I reach some people and in doing so, manage to help them.

The true value of our CVs is leveraged by more than 15 years experience within the recruitment sector, and our ability to present the right information and convey the targeted message across to the intended person. This gives us an edge over regular, creative writers.

Our passion is in the right place, and that is to help people land that interview.

People underestimate the impact their CVs have on a chance of landing the job they desire. I personally, fully understand the pressures and trauma associated with job hunting, the daunting task of putting a CV together and sending it out into the world. We include industry specific specialisation and skills matrixes, our CVs are engaging and they stir interest wherever viewed.

Our passion is in the right place, and that is helping our clients land more interviews. There are always jobs for people with outstanding CVs.

I want to close with words from Paulo Coelhos brilliant novel, Pilgrimage “You are so concerned about finding your sword (job) that you forgot the most important thing: you have to get there.”

Whether it is to find a job or move up the ladder. Looking at this scenario, your CV is your starting point, and first impressions matter. Get an outstanding CV to go with your outstanding accomplishments.

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What goes into a Logo?

Daniël Meiring — Sun, 03 May 2020 09:16:40 +0000

What goes into a Logo? Countless of hours of thinking and overthinking, I can tell you that much. Many scribbles, slogans and designs later you hope for the best. Months later you smile and you think, yes, this is it. The shapes, the wording, the colours, it works.
When your logo has meaning to you, when it symbolises growth and determination, then all of a sudden it has sentimental value. It becomes more than a logo, it becomes a source of pride and it becomes a constant reminder of a commitment to something bigger than yourself.

Our logo, in-house called ‘The Cappuccino Stain”, is just that. It’s a tremendous source of pride, seeing how far we have come. And a constant reminder that we are committed to this journey, and all the stakeholders, but most of all, our clients who intrust us with their futures.

How did we come up with this? I mean Juan, my co-founder, wanted a design featuring a Superhero with a cape, because we are from the Cape! Suggestions came in thick and fast, and I wanted to move out of the blue box. Yes, our very first logo was a square blue box with our name, The CV Central, written in stacked formation.
I knew from the start I wasn’t going to settle for just anything, I wanted something simplistic, but with meaning. Something that almost every individual can relate to.

Whilst having a morning coffee at home one day, reviewing my to-do list, I thought to myself, “I wonder how many cups of coffee I must have had in my working career?” I laughed, thinking “and how many coffee stains I must have left behind.”
We can all relate to that, I think – with dedication and hard work come coffee stains. Or tea, or hot chocolate, or whatever your preferred brew is. Stick a coffee or cappuccino in my hand and any challenge is possible. We have all left stains behind. We can all relate! Box ticked!

The traditional cappuccino consists of a single espresso, on top of which the barista pours hot foamed milk, resulting in a thick foam top. How this Italian delicacy, born out of Viennese-style cafés in Trieste, won over the world is an astonishing achievement. The hot beverage of choice for many, and my personal favourite for getting my focus back on track before a seminar or meeting.

The earthy coffee brown resonates calmness. In colour psychology, brown is honest, genuine and sincere. It relates to the hardworking, the industrious and reliable, with both feet planted firmly on the ground. I didn’t make this up, visit https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com to learn more yourself.

‘The Central.com’ speaks for itself, steering you in the direction of our web page with black lettering. In colour psychology, black means power and control. Black implies self-control and discipline, independence and a strong will, and gives an impression of authority and power.

Your eyes can’t help but notice the slim line highlighted ‘CV’ in grey. Magnified from the black, showcasing the ability to stand out from the crowd . From a colour psychology perspective, grey is the colour of compromise – being neither black nor white, it is the transition between two non-colours. Translating into the transition between your old CV and new.

From time to time you will find shades of sea green throughout our marketing literature. This colour pays homage to the Haworthia Fasciata, more commonly known as the “Zebra Plant.” This astounding little plant recognised by its dark green leaves with white bands that resemble “Zebra Stripes” is a popular indoor and outdoor succulent, which is frost hardy and native to South Africa.
From a meaning of colour perspective, green is the colour of growth, the colour of spring, of renewal and rebirth. It renews and restores depleted energy. It’s the sanctuary away from the stresses of modern living, restoring us back to a sense of well being. An emotionally positive colour, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. While the “Zebra Stripes” in white, signal new beginnings.

Our logo is not just another logo, it means something. It represents growth. It inspires hope, as we aspire to help as many people as possible to find their next job.

Our logo is not just another logo, from the stain to the font and colours, it all comes together beautifully. It represents us, and we are proud to be The CV Central.

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How I joined

Juan Pieterse — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:06:09 +0000

Working at CV central pretty much started as a culmination of unusual circomstances. I had resigned from my job and started preparing for an overseas adventure. My friend Danny was working on a project he was very passionate about. He recently stopped working in the recruitment industry, and started leveraging his expertise to help others land interviews and jobs. Having been in the industry he knows exactly what recruiters are looking for when it comes to CVs, and he saw a gap in the market, redesigning CVs to put a job applicant at an advantage during the recruitment and interview process. Having plenty of spare time I helped him set up some of the technical stuff at his new business, website design, hosting, email servers, invoicing systems and the like.

Then, suddenly, President Cyrl Ramaphosa announced the national lockdown. My plans were cancelled and suddenly I was looking for a job myself. Jokingly I asked Danny to help me out with my CV as well. He redisigned my CV from scratch and I was amazed by how much better it looked than my previous one. I started applying for jobs online and I was recently contacted by 2 recruiters. Both of them commented on how much they liked my CV. Long story short: Even during these trying times of economic uncertainty, I got through to second round interviews for both positions! I am convinced that my ‘new’ CV played a major role in this. I am also happy to be a part of The CV Central as business has been picking up with people getting their CVs ready for the post-lockdown job rush. Daniel is very customer focussed and I’m the one (with a background in IT) that makes sure our emails, invoicing and other electronic customer care systems runs smoothly.

Make no bones about it: A lot of jobs will be lost because of Covid-19’s impact on the economy. This simply means that there will be an increased number of job seekers out there. It is just logical and rational that one needs to be noticable in a market that will soon be flooded by CVs. A well designed, eye-catching CV will land you that interview faster. I am living proof of this. I urge you to do the same and get your foot in the door.
Get your Free Assessment today and increase your chances of landing that job in these trying times.

Take care out there

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Behind the scenes

Juan Pieterse — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:22:45 +0000

Hi. My name is Juan and my job at The CV Central is to take care of all the IT requirements (website & email hosting, etc) I joined The CV Central by chance, helping Danny out setting up some of the technical aspects of the business while he focussed on what he does best: Designing career changing CVs. After the lockdown started, we bunkered up and business started picking up. Anticipating massive job losses, people started realising that there will be a massive job rush after the lockdown. There is a lot of truth to this: The job marked will be flooded with applications from people looking for work. It is therefore essential for a person to have a good looking, eye catching CV. Business started picking up for us with all sorts of people in various industries started sending us their CVs to get updated and made more presentable. It has been a very rewarding experience to see this startup grow and at the same time see people actually finding jobs, even during the lockdown. I had my own CV updated with The CV Central, and this week alone I have had 2 online Skype interviews!

Have a think about it, we are living in strange times. Beat the rush and get your CV and yourself noticed with The CV Central, and land your dream job!

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How it all began..

Daniël Meiring — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 08:05:14 +0000

With more than 12 years worth of experience in recruitment and selection, I think at this stage of my career it is safe to say I know what recruiters are looking for in candidates and their CV content. It was my job to do so. On any given day, I would have at least 50 candidate files on my desk. Employers used our services to send them suitable candidates, meeting stringent, specific requirements.The sad reality is that sometimes well qualified, competent candidates get overlooked due to badly designed CVs. Spelling mistakes, spacing errors, insufficient information… the list is long. A good CV will get your foot in the door. Take this from someone who’s been in business for the better part of two decades.

Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, I cringe at the thought of how many perfectly suitable candidates slipped through the cracks in the very first round of the application process. All of this could have been avoided if their CV’s were simply more presentable. People are always taken aback when I explain how easily one can miss out on the perfect opportunity, despite being perfectly matched for the position. Missing out on a great opportunity simply because of bad ‘CV aesthetics’ happens far more often than you would think. My frustrations with this gave rise to an opportunity, and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how The CV Central was born.

Using my expertise, I started creating CVs for friends and family. One by one, the vast majority of them started getting interviews and jobs. They started referring their friends and I was getting calls and emails on a daily basis from people who needed my help. I decided to set up shop, and start my own small business. It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It gives me immense pleasure when people call me up and say “Danny! Thanks man! I got the job!”

It’s a fact that during these uncertain economic times, there will be a lot of people flooding the job market. Help me help you.

Let’s get your foot in the door and land you that precious job.

The time is now!

,

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