Oselo is the best out there to work with simply put. They really do know how to listen and go out of their way to help land your dream role. That's just how it was for me. It's not just a 9 - 5 for them honestly, the best I've worked with so far.

Kept constant communication and always up for helping out in case of any questions. Absolutely made my interview preparation a breeze, always knew what to expect next. I'd definitely recommend Oselo!

We spoke to one of our most advanced principal recruiters here at Oselo to find out his top tips for CV writing, and what recruiters look for in a CV.

Your CV could be what stands between you and your dream job. It should capture your personality, education, work experience, achievements and transferable skills. A one-to-two-page concise CV goes a long way. Employers and recruiters want to be able to glance at your CV and instantly know if your right for the job.

Including keywords in your CV will show the employer you really know what you're talking about. This may stir a bit of a debate, but if your CV is strong and relevant for the job you are applying to, there is no need for a cover letter unless it is a requirement. However, if a cover letter is being submitted, it is a good opportunity to use the keywords embedded in sentences to show you understand the meaning, rather than them listed on your CV.

There are hundreds of ways to design your CV, a good way to think about the design element is to ask yourself what will make me stand out? Employers would have seen thousands of CVs and you need to think about what will make you rememberable. Although not every design of CV is appropriate for every job, you still need to consider what will make you stand out.

“For those going into a developer or designer role, the most supportive element you could add to your CV is an up to date GitHub, personal website or online portfolio showcasing your work.”

Different recruiters may have other opinions on the personal information to include, however with over 5 years' experience the recruiters at Oselo look for:

Full name
Location
Email address
Phone number
Nationality

The layout of a CV and the sections recommended to include will vary on who you speak to. At Oselo we highly recommended and look for the following sections in a CV:

Education
Any qualifications are creditable, even if they are not relevant it shows the employer you have ambition and are willing to further your education.

Work experience
For many candidates, there will be a lot of information which is necessary and relevant to include. However, the name of the company, past/current job titles, with a brief description is enough. The interview is an opportunity for you to elaborate on your previous and current roles in depth; if the employer wants an extended copy of your CV, that can be down to their request.

A project summary is a great way to give a brief overview of a previous or current project which you have been working on. By adding this in, it saves space under work experience allowing you to provide more responsibilities.

The best advice for this section is to show your progression within a company!

Skills
Having relevant transferable skills on a CV is vital information to include. The best way to demonstrate skills is by using a heat meter which clearly shows your level of understanding with the skill. Listing your skills can give the employer the wrong impression of your level of expertise with specific programmes and software's.

You should include any languages other than your native language, even if you are not fluent.

Interests
Although not essential, having your interests on your CV will give the employer an insight into your personality. A good way to showcase your interests on your CV is through the use of icons or infographics as they do not take up too much space, and leaves room for more important information, like education and experiences. This can help some employers determine if they think you are a good culture fit for their company.

Achievements
Having your achievements, certificates, and awards you have obtained on your CV can make you stand out to an employer, especially if you are bilingual or have a full driving license in some cases.

References
A list of references can be down to your own discretion. Understandably you may not want to provide your references details unless you have too; in this case, you should still keep a subheading for references, but under the title, have the phrase references on request. This will tell the employer you have references, however it is something the need to ask for if it is something they wish to have.

Staying motivated at work can be difficult. This article is going to discuss some tips on how to keep yourself motivated and productive.

Often distractions are unavoidable, whether that’s in the office or working from home. It is easier said than done to align your calendars with others so you are able to focus on your heaviest tasks when others around you are busy, or to say just book out a meeting room.

Timers
Timers are a massive helping hand when you are having to focus on more than one project at a time. This allows to dedicate a set amount of time to one project before working on the other without having to keep checking the time. Although some most people would advise not multitasking when overwhelmed, for some it's not an option.

Break down your tasks
It is completely normal to feel burnt out when you have X number of goals to achieve by a certain date. A good technique to break down tasks to make them more manageable is to set yourself a little task. By doing this you are not exceeding your own expectations and allowing yourself to only focus on completing one thing at a time.

Research is also work
Research is also progress, don’t be hard on yourself if you didn’t manage to write or complete X amount of work. Doing research on your project such as finding examples, inspiration, and structure is still progress. Although it does not feel like progress as it is not physical work that contributes to the content, having a full understanding of the project is imperative; therefore, any research which allows you to complete this project to your best ability is essential and necessary.

When job hunting you may apply to several and not even give it a thought, however, what job will you pick when you get multiple offers? There are many contributing factors that you should take into consideration when deciding what job offer to accept.

The job role
It is important all requirements for the job role you have applied for excite you, even if you need training on certain programs the thought of this should make you excited for your journey. Progression in a company is important, you need to ensure the job role being offered has an opportunity for your skills and knowledge to progress, as well as your position in the company.

The company
Just because the job role sounds like a dream, doesn’t mean working for the company is. Researching the company you are considering joining is extremely important. If you are a person who reflects certain morals and values, it is crucial the company seconds that and can support you.

It is possible to look at company reviews on websites like Glassdoor and Indeed. Do not be alarmed if the company is new and does not have many reviews, this is usually the case with start-ups, if you are concerned about joining a start-up ask the hiring manager for some reassurance about their stability and what position they can see the company in a few years' time.

Benefits
The benefits of a company can be just as important as the offering salary. You need to step back at look at the whole package the company is offering you. One company may be offering £3,000 less than the other company, but this company may offer a better pension scheme, bigger Bouns' and more room for growth and progression.

Other perks to look for in a company are parking, health care, free gym memberships, maternity/paternity leave, holiday allowance, sick pay, and team activities.

Travel and WFH
Travel, hybrid working, and working from home is now a big thing to consider when applying for a job. All companies offer different ways to work, there are some jobs employees cannot physically do from home, but there are others where being on-site is not essential. You need to determine what is best for you, for some how they work is not a problem, but for others it is.