This opportunity seems to match my technicals skills, and personal career aspirations.

I would be glad about the opportunity to continue with the selection process.

I think my skills and knowdledges fulfill the needs and expectaions for the job.

1. Classic Letter

Dear [candidate name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team about the [role title] role at
[company name]. It was a pleasure to learn more about your skills
and accomplishments.

Unfortunately, our team did not select you for further consideration.

I would like to note that competition for jobs at [company name] is always strong and
that we often have to make difficult choices between many high-caliber candidates.
Now that we’ve had the chance to know more about you, we will be keeping your
resume on file for future openings that better fit your profile.

I am happy to answer your questions if you would like any specific feedback about your
application or interviews.

Thanks again for your interest in [company name] and best of luck with your
job search.

Regards,

2. Short & Sweet Letter

Hi [first name],

We appreciate your interest in [company name] and the time you’ve invested in
applying for the [role title] opening.

We ended up moving forward with another candidate, but we’d like to thank you for
talking to our team and giving us the opportunity to learn about your skills
and accomplishments.

We will be advertising more positions in the coming months. We hope you’ll keep us in
mind and we encourage you to apply again.

We wish you good luck with your job search and professional future endeavors.

Best,

3. Feedback Letter

Dear Ms. Job,

I want to thank you for your interest in the RPN position at Anytown General Hospital
and for all of the time you have put into the interview process. Unfortunately, we will
not be offering the position to you. While your education qualifications are very
impressive, we have chosen a candidate who has more hands-on experience. We will
keep your resume on file, and if any other job positions become available we will keep
you in mind. After you have gained some experience through volunteering, or another
job position, we hope that you will re-apply at Anytown General Hospital.

On behalf of Anytown General Hospital, I thank you for your time, interest, and effort,
and I wish you the best in your future career endeavors.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 123-456-7890.

Sincerely,

Paul Itionfilled, Human Resources Manager

Job searching can be a harrowing process. After applying, waiting for potentially
months and hoping for a response, you finally get invited to a first interview. If you did
well, you likely will get invited back for a second interview.

This can be incredibly exciting, but also nerve-wracking. Typically, because hiring
managers have already drastically narrowed the field of potential hires, your wait time
for the call back will be much shorter.

Remember, depending on the size of the company and the scope of the job, your second
interview may just be the next step. There may be a third interview as well.

Example of an Invitation to a Second Interview

The following is an example of an email advising you that you've been selected for a
second interview.

Subject: Invitation to a Second Interview

Dear Lucy Miranda,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us to discuss your interest in, and
qualifications for, the position of assistant gallery manager at the Oakland Photography
Institute.

We are pleased to inform you that you passed the first round of interviews and we
would like to invite you to return to the gallery for a second interview. The interview
should last approximately two hours. Please let me know what days and times you are
available for the next two weeks.

We look forward to meeting with you again.

Best,
Jason Turner

What to Expect at a Second Interview

Getting the email invitation is a great next step, but it does not mean the job is yours.

At this point, they have likely narrowed down the applicant pool, from the dozens who
applied, to just a handful who successfully made it through the first round.

This time you will be up against the most highly qualified candidates, so it's important
to remain focused and not get overly confident.

Many people mistakenly think a second interview is more casual than the first.

This is simply not the case unless it was specifically stated by the hiring manager or
human resources contact in the invitation you received.

Be sure to dress just as you did for the first meeting, such as wearing a men's suit or
appropriate, contemporary dress unless it's a casual work environment. Make sure your
outfit is clean, well pressed, and fits well. And keep your accessories to a minimum.

Your second interview will likely differ from your first in a couple of ways. With some
companies, you will meet with different people than you did in the first interview. At
other firms, you will meet with the same group, but the focus of the interview will be
different. Instead of questions about your work experience and performance, they may
focus instead on culture and personality to see if you're a good fit for the office.

There are a number of different interview types, and it is possible that after your initial
interview, the potential employer will use a different type to see how you handle
different interview situations. If your first interview was a one-on-one, your second may
be a group interview. Group interviews are either a group of colleagues interviewing
you or a group of interviewees being interviewed together.

Either way, the hiring team will be looking at how you interact with a group, so practice
your listening skills and body language as well.

Remember, this is very much a two-way conversation. While they are interviewing you,
you should also be evaluating them as a potential employer. A second interview is a
great opportunity to get more insight into what your coworkers are like, what the
corporate culture is like, and how your potential boss operates.

Be prepared to ask questions about not only your role but your future team and the
company as a whole. While giving you valuable insight, it also demonstrates your
interest and passion for the work.

Positive words to describe yourself:

1. Able

I am able to handle multiple tasks on a daily basis.

2. Creative

I use a creative approach to problem solve.

3. Dependable

I am a dependable person who is great at time management.

4. Energetic

I am always energetic and eager to learn new skills.

5. Experience

I have experience working as part of a team and individually.

6. Flexible

I am flexible in my working hours, being able to work evenings and weekends.

7. Hardworking

I am hardworking and always the last to leave the office in the evening.

I have organised the staff functions for the last four years with great success.

8. Honest

I am honest and trustworthy when I am counting money after our church bake-sales.

9. Imaginative

I work with the team to provide imaginative solutions for our customers.

10. Innovative

I am always coming up with innovative ideas.

11. Motivated

I am motivated to go to the gym before work to get fit and healthy.

12. Organised

I have organised the staff functions for the last four years with great success.

13. Reliable

Co-workers rely on me to be on time.

14. Sense of humour

Even though I take my work seriously, I do have a good sense of humour.

Follow the link for: How do I Make My CV Really Special?

Positive words to describe your achievements:

15. Achieved

I achieved a pass grade for my Level 2 Exercise to Music Instructor course.

16. Competed

I competed at national competitions in cheerleading.

17. Delivered

I delivered all projects in a timely fashion.

18. Helped

I helped out at the local care home during my spare time.

I made cost savings on projects by using local manufacturers.

19. Identified

In the role, I identified a need for a new system and, with management backing, it has
since been implemented.
20. Managed

Lucy has managed the team through several large projects.

21. On time

I am always on time for organised events, work-related or otherwise.

22. Participated

Alice participated in her local Race for Life 10k charity run.

23. Savings

I made cost savings on projects by using local manufacturers.

24. Supervised

During this time, I supervised swimming galas at her local pool.

25. Won

I won gold in my very first cross-fit competition.

Example Personal statement:

I am a talented, ambitious and hardworking individual, with broad skills and

experience in digital and printed marketing, social media and leading projects.

Furthermore, I am adept at handling multiple tasks on a daily basis competently and at

working well under pressure.

A key strength is communication; building strong relationships with people in order to

deliver the best results.

Recently, I completed an Open degree, including Business and Design modules at the
Open University and I am now fully employed by Clearly Presented as a Digital Media
Manager.

Follow the link for: A Guide to Writing a Successful CV

15 More Words From our Experts

We asked expert customer service recruiters for their advice on which other words to
use on a CV. These recruiters responded with the list below:

26. Articulate

I am an effective and articulate communicator with all levels of employees.

27. Confidence

I instil confidence in others and approach new challenges with an open mind.

28. Commercial

I have a strong commercial outlook…

29. Consistent

I have been able to deliver a consistent approach throughout a challenging period of

development.

30. Driven

I am extremely driven, with a clear goal to succeed.

I used the advice passed on by my supervisors to mentor struggling individuals..

31. Enthused/Enthusiastic

I am always highly enthused about my work and tasks ahead.

32. Inspirational

I have been told that I am an inspirational coach and mentor.

33. Interactive

I understand the importance of being interactive and enjoy communicating with others
for the benefit of the company.

34. Leader

I am a natural leader and developer of people.

35. Mentor

I used the advice passed on by my supervisors to mentor struggling individuals.

36. Personable

I am happy and extremely personable and excel in a positive work environment.

37. Safe Pair of Hands

I have been told that I provide a safe pair of hands in challenging times.

38. Self-Development

I am committed to learning and self-development so that I can consistently achieve

better results.

39. Subject Matter Expert

I am seen as a subject matter expert within the field of workforce management and
deployment.

40. Versatile

I have an extremely versatile skill set.

Follow the link for: How do I analyse CVs to best effect?

The Top Ten Words to Leave Off a CV

Whilst the words above can be great additions to a CV, our experts also have their
bugbears about certain other words that candidates use.
Here is a list of our top ten words to avoid using on your résumé.

1. Seasoned

Using this will make you sound like you are a steak! Also, it is so dated. There are much
better words to use!
2. Authoritative

Recruiters want a collaborator not a dictator, especially in the customer service field.
So, replace a phrase such as “I was in an authoritative position…” with “I was in a
position of leadership…”.

3. Think outside the box

Give examples of how you were made to think creatively and the benefits that such
innovation brought to the company. To do this, it is important to avoid vague phrases
such as “I think outside the box.”

4. Detail-orientated

There is a chance, no matter how excellent you believe your grammar to be, that you
will make a mistake on your CV. Whilst many recruiters may overlook one minor error,
pairing the mistake with the phrase “detail-orientated” could create problems.

5. Track record

If your CV is written correctly the recruiter will be able to see your track record, so
don’t waste your limited space with needless phrases like this.

6. Hard-worker

It is much more convincing to show the recruiter that you are a hard-worker than to tell
them. Recruiters will draw their own conclusions from the evidence that you present, so
don’t try to confuse them by using vague phrases… it won’t work.

7. Results-driven

Are results your only driver? Don’t limit yourself by using such language. Demonstrate
how you are driven by purpose, personal development and colleagues/teammates, as
well as by achievement.

8. Go-to man

Not only is this too informal for a CV, it takes focus away from how your skills align
with those in the job description. Don’t distract yourself by trying to do everyone else’s
jobs – they they will be more experienced in these than you.

9. Passionate

This is so over-used. If you were not passionate about an aspect of the role, it is
assumed that you would not be applying for the position. So, set yourself apart from the
average candidate by trying something different, like noting how fulfilling the passion
makes you feel.
10. Team-player

It is important to note that you enjoy a collaborative atmosphere, but the phrase “team-
player” is contrived. Alternatively, refer to a success story of when you worked
alongside someone else to bring great benefits to the workplace.

Follow the link for: Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Job

What Else Should You Be Wary Of?

The advice above can help to shape a CV, but doing any of the following can seriously
damage your chances of acquiring the customer service job that you crave.

Writing in Third Person

CVs should never be written in third person. Use first

person and choose the present or past tense to showcase the most important and relevant
information to your employment goals.

So, for example, do not say “James Bell is…”, but instead state “I am…”.

Removing Personal Information

Things to include: your address, postcode, mobile number and email address! So many
people are not including this information, making it very difficult for agencies and
organisations to know where candidates are looking for work and also to register the
CVs on their systems.

It also makes it impossible to find candidates again when searching in specific locations.

Including a Headshot/Photograph

This is just a waste of space, especially as you should already be struggling to cut your
CV down into two pages.

Also, don’t save your CV as an Infographic. These may look good, but they can’t be
used by agencies and often won’t upload to company career sites – send your CV as a
PDF or Word document and keep the formatting simple!

Expanding Margins and Cutting White Space

No one wants to read a CV that is formatted with a tiny font and no white space! White
space allows the eye to rest between reading and absorbing the content, and it acts as a
cue to important information the employer should read with care.
At the same time, a CV with too much white space will look like you have no relevant
experience or skills to offer the employer. Find a happy medium – keep the CV readable
and clean, while filling the space.

Including Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation Mistakes

In this day and age there should be NO excuses, but it still happens, and more often than
you would expect. These kinds of mistakes can get even the most qualified candidate’s
CV thrown into the “no” pile.

Remember, the CV is an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers or

recruiters what type of employee you are, your attitude to work and, most importantly,
your attention to detail!

After you have reviewed your CV carefully, have a friend – or two – review it again for
you!

Heavily Detailing Secondary Experiences

It is very easy to keep adding a new job to your existing CV, but does your previous role
still hold any relevance? Or, looking back, should your previous role actually be
enhanced to support more of your present role?

I am responsible for the leadership, coaching and development of 100 FTE. In the past
year we have seen an uplift of 5% on service level performance against the previous 5
years.

As your career progresses, your older jobs may not be as relevant as they once were.
Your CV is your opportunity to showcase your career and you need to highlight what is
most important, taking space from less important detail that you may now be able to
remove.

Listing Your Duties from a Previous Job

Everyone needs to see and understand what you do, but what is it that sets you apart
from the crowd?

In addition to listing some, if not all, of your duties and responsibilities, try and include
some achievements, tangibles, or context around the role. This could involve something
like the following:

You may write: I am responsible for 100 + FTE.

You could write: I am responsible for the leadership, coaching and development of 100
FTE. In the past year we have seen an uplift of 5% on service level performance against
the previous 5 years.

A Guide to Writing a Successful CV

Although there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to writing a CV, following some simple
guidelines and including key information will dramatically improve your chances of
standing out and securing an interview. Brad Parker tells us how…

It is important to remember that your CV is essentially a marketing tool; it needs to

display enough information so that the potential employer can identify an initial fit but
still wants to meet with you to find out more and take your application to the next stage.
The main topics that should be covered include work experience, key duties, key
achievements and relevant systems knowledge.

Contact Details

There are several different components of a CV, but the first thing to add is your name
and contact details at the top of the first page. This may sound obvious but many people
do not include full details, such as home address, contact numbers and email address.

Personal Statement

Writing a CV is your sales pitch to the employer and your personal statement is your
opener. This should sit below your personal details and you should use it to really stand
out from the crowd. It should be approximately 50 words, making each sentence a key
selling point. Highlight your professional merits and objectives, ensuring that it clearly
states what you can do for the employer and emphasising why they should continue
reading the rest of your CV. You don’t need to mention your work history or
qualifications at this point – that is what the body of the CV is for.

Formatting

Remember to keep your formatting consistent throughout. Ideally, your CV should be

no more than two A4 pages in length and should be bullet-pointed and factual. Try to
limit yourself to the most relevant work experience and list employers and job roles in
reverse chronological order.

Work Experience

This needs to include the company name, job title and key responsibilities. Remember
to state the full dates of employment, including month and year. Next, include brief
overviews of the companies you have worked for, highlighting their product or service
and stating which industry sectors they operate in. This is important if the company is
not particularly well known as the potential employer wants to see relevant experience.
Education and Skills

You would usually be expected to include all higher and further education. If you have
no formal qualifications, focus on your skills, e.g. apprenticeship or traineeships. Once
you have covered the technical requirements and any other institute or membership
achievements, it’s always a good idea to include language skills (especially for
multinationals) and IT skills. As for referees, it is sufficient to mention that these are
‘available on request’.

Gaps in Your Employment History

Make sure you explain all gaps as these tend to set off alarm bells and if there is one
area that interviewers will try to probe, this is it. While you don’t have to include
reasons for leaving a job, you may be asked about this at interview.

Competencies and Achievements

Remember to focus on your competencies throughout your CV. Never lose sight of what
potential employers are looking for, match their technical and personal competency
requirements and you’re off to a solid start. This means studying the job description and
person specification carefully. Your CV needs to demonstrate your key achievements as
well as past responsibilities; try to do this in a numerical manner in order to show the
value you can bring to the company and link your achievements to their stated
requirements.

Key performance Indicators (KPIs)

Try to integrate any KPIs into your past achievements; showing the KPIs you have
previously worked towards is a great way to highlight your experience. Also state which
systems you have experience of, this should include contact centre related systems such
as customer relationship management (CRM), automatic call distributor (ACD) or
workforce management (WFM) systems.

Additional Information

This will differ depending on the type of role and position you have previously held. For
example, if you are applying for a sales-related role you will need to include
information about past business you have won, this should specify the amount of new
leads you personally generated, the value of sales you generated and the number of
client meetings you attended.

If you are applying for a management role it is important to include information about
how many staff you have previously managed, how many direct reports you had,
whether the role was predominantly operational or strategic and whether you are
flexible to relocate or travel between sites.

If you are applying for customer-service roles include the number of calls you have
handled per day and any written customer contact experience you have, this can include
both complaints and general correspondence.
Whichever type of role you are applying for, it is important to state how flexible you are
in regards to working hours.

Finally, don’t forget to run a spell check and ensure that those competencies are working
hard for you.