Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Best choice if you're career minded, 30 Oct 2008
I bought a copy of this book 2 years ago when one of the writes spoke at Leeds University. It's been my career bible every since. Constructing your career DNA is THE most useful task that any person who wants a successful career can do. It takes a long time, but once you have your own collection of standardised experiences matched with competencies, your ready to go. When customising a cv to each job you apply for, it's jsut a matter of copying and pasting the appropriate sentence/paragraph you've made earlier. You just update this DNA as you go so each time you come to writing a new cv, you're all set.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend using the formats of the cv's that are given as an example, especially the personal statement element. It's secured me two good jobs so far.

Personal core competence model for the masses, 12 Jul 2008
Having recently met Bill Faust, I can tell you he is totally passionate about his concept - which those with a business education will tell you is basically a translation of the principles of core competency and transferrable skills to the context of an individual competing in the jobs market. It focuses your attention on what you are really good at and where you can demonstrate that expertise. By so doing, you can work laterally to develop opportunities where previously you saw none (or worse, never looked at all), and vertically as a complete end-to-end process for negotiating your place in the hierarchy of an organisation.

I put it to Bill via email (though he has yet to reply) that the career DNA bank technique should also be applicable to those wishing to change career by enabling them to recognise where their skills might be used to leverage greater career fulfilment and satisfaction.

The weakness with these techniques is that they are only as good as the individual and how comprehensively they apply they extract and apply the knowledge. Like all self-help books, those who gain greatest benefit would have achieved just as highly using other techniques proposed by other authors, but that would be a churlish critism. Bill's evangelism on the subject of self-marketing is well-placed, since maintaining a positive attitude and being brutally honest are skills from which anyone can gain in abundance.

Fantastic! understanding what your CV says about you, 13 May 2008
I purchased this book thinking, "I'll Give it a go" but seriously credit to the authors Bill and Michael Faust.

The book is fantastic, it offers the reader an insightful perpective on Who they are and how they work. The best part is all of, this is done with a set of easy to follow exercises.

The net result is a greater understanding of yourself and your competencies for a prospective employer. Don't just go for any job, choose the one that's right for you.

This is book is a well kept secret that needs to get out!

No Brainer - not worth not having, 30 Oct 2007
What can I say, I bought this book recently and rewrote my CV and sent it off to a number of companies. Previously I hadn't had many replies but having changed my CV and my outlook due to this book i got offered every job I applied to. Can't argue with that - well worth the price.

Get it right first time, 31 Jul 2006
This book was practical with just one objective to get you the job you want. It did just that for me. Like most of us I was using effectively the same CV I had been using since leaving university and had not given the process any thought since. The book made it possible for me to breakdown the recruiting process into building blocks. I could critically analyse each stage and take a measured approach to answering the employer's question: What do you offer me? I would suggest, if you are serious about getting yourself to the top of the short list for interview before the next candidate, get a copy of this book.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Best choice if you're career minded, 30 Oct 2008
I bought a copy of this book 2 years ago when one of the writes spoke at Leeds University. It's been my career bible every since. Constructing your career DNA is THE most useful task that any person who wants a successful career can do. It takes a long time, but once you have your own collection of standardised experiences matched with competencies, your ready to go. When customising a cv to each job you apply for, it's jsut a matter of copying and pasting the appropriate sentence/paragraph you've made earlier. You just update this DNA as you go so each time you come to writing a new cv, you're all set.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend using the formats of the cv's that are given as an example, especially the personal statement element. It's secured me two good jobs so far.

Personal core competence model for the masses, 12 Jul 2008
Having recently met Bill Faust, I can tell you he is totally passionate about his concept - which those with a business education will tell you is basically a translation of the principles of core competency and transferrable skills to the context of an individual competing in the jobs market. It focuses your attention on what you are really good at and where you can demonstrate that expertise. By so doing, you can work laterally to develop opportunities where previously you saw none (or worse, never looked at all), and vertically as a complete end-to-end process for negotiating your place in the hierarchy of an organisation.

I put it to Bill via email (though he has yet to reply) that the career DNA bank technique should also be applicable to those wishing to change career by enabling them to recognise where their skills might be used to leverage greater career fulfilment and satisfaction.

The weakness with these techniques is that they are only as good as the individual and how comprehensively they apply they extract and apply the knowledge. Like all self-help books, those who gain greatest benefit would have achieved just as highly using other techniques proposed by other authors, but that would be a churlish critism. Bill's evangelism on the subject of self-marketing is well-placed, since maintaining a positive attitude and being brutally honest are skills from which anyone can gain in abundance.

Fantastic! understanding what your CV says about you, 13 May 2008
I purchased this book thinking, "I'll Give it a go" but seriously credit to the authors Bill and Michael Faust.

The book is fantastic, it offers the reader an insightful perpective on Who they are and how they work. The best part is all of, this is done with a set of easy to follow exercises.

The net result is a greater understanding of yourself and your competencies for a prospective employer. Don't just go for any job, choose the one that's right for you.

This is book is a well kept secret that needs to get out!

No Brainer - not worth not having, 30 Oct 2007
What can I say, I bought this book recently and rewrote my CV and sent it off to a number of companies. Previously I hadn't had many replies but having changed my CV and my outlook due to this book i got offered every job I applied to. Can't argue with that - well worth the price.

Get it right first time, 31 Jul 2006
This book was practical with just one objective to get you the job you want. It did just that for me. Like most of us I was using effectively the same CV I had been using since leaving university and had not given the process any thought since. The book made it possible for me to breakdown the recruiting process into building blocks. I could critically analyse each stage and take a measured approach to answering the employer's question: What do you offer me? I would suggest, if you are serious about getting yourself to the top of the short list for interview before the next candidate, get a copy of this book.

Not Good for Graduates!!!, 09 Sep 2008
This book is ok for generic CVs etc. but as a graduate having just come out of university all I ended up with was a pompous arrogant sounding CV. I only realised this when I went to a graduate website (Prospects) and downloaded a couple of their free sample CVs. If only I had done this 3 months ago I would have saved myself alot of time, effort, rejection and 6 quid. I didn't really need this book, all I needed was an example of someone else's CV so I could work on mine! Simple as that.
I didn't like this book, it was too vague and not realistic enough

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Jan 2008
This engaging book is presented in three accessible sections: "Understanding CVs and their impact"; "Composing your CV"; and "Making your CV work for you". Its pages contain a wealth of hard-hitting, entertainingly presented advice illustrated by short, punchy examples and at-a-glance checklists. Following this clear format, you'll quickly craft a CV all but guaranteed to stand you tall in your crowd and achieve, as John says, the sole purpose "to get you into a room with someone who can influence your future".

As a Senior Outplacement Consultant with DBM in London, I think that "Why you? CV messages to win jobs" is up there with John's established classic "How to get a job you'll love". Once more he delivers what he says on the cover, and I regularly recommend both titles to my clients.


Excellent, practical advice from an expert in the field, 14 Dec 2007
Up-to-the-minute, heaps of practical information on how to put a winning CV together.
As a recruitment consultant, I welcome John Lees book. He takes the reader through preparing a CV, reminding them that its purpose is to get a meeting or interview. Then he explains how to tailor the CV for different types of job situations, especially relevant when you are trying to move into a new sector where you may not have the 'obvious' skillset. Next he explores how to proactively use your CV, in approaching agencies/headhunters and speculatively, to target organisations. This book should leave the reader feeling confident that they can produce a right-for-purpose CV and motivated to do so.
If every candidate were to read John's book before sending their CV in, it would make our sifting process much more difficult!

This book can help you, 09 Dec 2007
I think this book is great.

When I starting reading this book I doubted that it would have a great deal to say to me because I've read a number of similar books previously. I was surprised that the book made me think harder than I had expected about CVs and the context in which they are going to be read. I like the book's straightforward style of writing and I found its tone to be encouraging throughout. The use of checklists of things to do and not to do makes it very easy to see the key points.

Having a powerful CV is a key step in the job search journey and this book can help you on your way.


A definitive guide to mastering the art of CV writing, 03 Dec 2007
Why you? CV messages to win jobs is the definitive guide to CV writing and provides clear and simple guidance on which CV type to use for different career directions. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to change job or career path.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Best choice if you're career minded, 30 Oct 2008
I bought a copy of this book 2 years ago when one of the writes spoke at Leeds University. It's been my career bible every since. Constructing your career DNA is THE most useful task that any person who wants a successful career can do. It takes a long time, but once you have your own collection of standardised experiences matched with competencies, your ready to go. When customising a cv to each job you apply for, it's jsut a matter of copying and pasting the appropriate sentence/paragraph you've made earlier. You just update this DNA as you go so each time you come to writing a new cv, you're all set.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend using the formats of the cv's that are given as an example, especially the personal statement element. It's secured me two good jobs so far.

Personal core competence model for the masses, 12 Jul 2008
Having recently met Bill Faust, I can tell you he is totally passionate about his concept - which those with a business education will tell you is basically a translation of the principles of core competency and transferrable skills to the context of an individual competing in the jobs market. It focuses your attention on what you are really good at and where you can demonstrate that expertise. By so doing, you can work laterally to develop opportunities where previously you saw none (or worse, never looked at all), and vertically as a complete end-to-end process for negotiating your place in the hierarchy of an organisation.

I put it to Bill via email (though he has yet to reply) that the career DNA bank technique should also be applicable to those wishing to change career by enabling them to recognise where their skills might be used to leverage greater career fulfilment and satisfaction.

The weakness with these techniques is that they are only as good as the individual and how comprehensively they apply they extract and apply the knowledge. Like all self-help books, those who gain greatest benefit would have achieved just as highly using other techniques proposed by other authors, but that would be a churlish critism. Bill's evangelism on the subject of self-marketing is well-placed, since maintaining a positive attitude and being brutally honest are skills from which anyone can gain in abundance.

Fantastic! understanding what your CV says about you, 13 May 2008
I purchased this book thinking, "I'll Give it a go" but seriously credit to the authors Bill and Michael Faust.

The book is fantastic, it offers the reader an insightful perpective on Who they are and how they work. The best part is all of, this is done with a set of easy to follow exercises.

The net result is a greater understanding of yourself and your competencies for a prospective employer. Don't just go for any job, choose the one that's right for you.

This is book is a well kept secret that needs to get out!

No Brainer - not worth not having, 30 Oct 2007
What can I say, I bought this book recently and rewrote my CV and sent it off to a number of companies. Previously I hadn't had many replies but having changed my CV and my outlook due to this book i got offered every job I applied to. Can't argue with that - well worth the price.

Get it right first time, 31 Jul 2006
This book was practical with just one objective to get you the job you want. It did just that for me. Like most of us I was using effectively the same CV I had been using since leaving university and had not given the process any thought since. The book made it possible for me to breakdown the recruiting process into building blocks. I could critically analyse each stage and take a measured approach to answering the employer's question: What do you offer me? I would suggest, if you are serious about getting yourself to the top of the short list for interview before the next candidate, get a copy of this book.

Not Good for Graduates!!!, 09 Sep 2008
This book is ok for generic CVs etc. but as a graduate having just come out of university all I ended up with was a pompous arrogant sounding CV. I only realised this when I went to a graduate website (Prospects) and downloaded a couple of their free sample CVs. If only I had done this 3 months ago I would have saved myself alot of time, effort, rejection and 6 quid. I didn't really need this book, all I needed was an example of someone else's CV so I could work on mine! Simple as that.
I didn't like this book, it was too vague and not realistic enough

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Jan 2008
This engaging book is presented in three accessible sections: "Understanding CVs and their impact"; "Composing your CV"; and "Making your CV work for you". Its pages contain a wealth of hard-hitting, entertainingly presented advice illustrated by short, punchy examples and at-a-glance checklists. Following this clear format, you'll quickly craft a CV all but guaranteed to stand you tall in your crowd and achieve, as John says, the sole purpose "to get you into a room with someone who can influence your future".

As a Senior Outplacement Consultant with DBM in London, I think that "Why you? CV messages to win jobs" is up there with John's established classic "How to get a job you'll love". Once more he delivers what he says on the cover, and I regularly recommend both titles to my clients.


Excellent, practical advice from an expert in the field, 14 Dec 2007
Up-to-the-minute, heaps of practical information on how to put a winning CV together.
As a recruitment consultant, I welcome John Lees book. He takes the reader through preparing a CV, reminding them that its purpose is to get a meeting or interview. Then he explains how to tailor the CV for different types of job situations, especially relevant when you are trying to move into a new sector where you may not have the 'obvious' skillset. Next he explores how to proactively use your CV, in approaching agencies/headhunters and speculatively, to target organisations. This book should leave the reader feeling confident that they can produce a right-for-purpose CV and motivated to do so.
If every candidate were to read John's book before sending their CV in, it would make our sifting process much more difficult!

This book can help you, 09 Dec 2007
I think this book is great.

When I starting reading this book I doubted that it would have a great deal to say to me because I've read a number of similar books previously. I was surprised that the book made me think harder than I had expected about CVs and the context in which they are going to be read. I like the book's straightforward style of writing and I found its tone to be encouraging throughout. The use of checklists of things to do and not to do makes it very easy to see the key points.

Having a powerful CV is a key step in the job search journey and this book can help you on your way.


A definitive guide to mastering the art of CV writing, 03 Dec 2007
Why you? CV messages to win jobs is the definitive guide to CV writing and provides clear and simple guidance on which CV type to use for different career directions. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to change job or career path.

Bit boring after a while, 20 Nov 2008
I bought this for entertainment rather than to determine my IQ. I found that too many of the problems followed the same format i.e. the problems weren't varied or difficult enough and it became excruciatingly boring after I had done one or two tests.

Complete guff, 26 Jun 2007
IQ tests are a pseudo science based loosely on fact, promoted by intellectual light weights. Read this book if you dont get out often enough, or wish to pursue a career in Personnel/Human Resources.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Best choice if you're career minded, 30 Oct 2008
I bought a copy of this book 2 years ago when one of the writes spoke at Leeds University. It's been my career bible every since. Constructing your career DNA is THE most useful task that any person who wants a successful career can do. It takes a long time, but once you have your own collection of standardised experiences matched with competencies, your ready to go. When customising a cv to each job you apply for, it's jsut a matter of copying and pasting the appropriate sentence/paragraph you've made earlier. You just update this DNA as you go so each time you come to writing a new cv, you're all set.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend using the formats of the cv's that are given as an example, especially the personal statement element. It's secured me two good jobs so far.

Personal core competence model for the masses, 12 Jul 2008
Having recently met Bill Faust, I can tell you he is totally passionate about his concept - which those with a business education will tell you is basically a translation of the principles of core competency and transferrable skills to the context of an individual competing in the jobs market. It focuses your attention on what you are really good at and where you can demonstrate that expertise. By so doing, you can work laterally to develop opportunities where previously you saw none (or worse, never looked at all), and vertically as a complete end-to-end process for negotiating your place in the hierarchy of an organisation.

I put it to Bill via email (though he has yet to reply) that the career DNA bank technique should also be applicable to those wishing to change career by enabling them to recognise where their skills might be used to leverage greater career fulfilment and satisfaction.

The weakness with these techniques is that they are only as good as the individual and how comprehensively they apply they extract and apply the knowledge. Like all self-help books, those who gain greatest benefit would have achieved just as highly using other techniques proposed by other authors, but that would be a churlish critism. Bill's evangelism on the subject of self-marketing is well-placed, since maintaining a positive attitude and being brutally honest are skills from which anyone can gain in abundance.

Fantastic! understanding what your CV says about you, 13 May 2008
I purchased this book thinking, "I'll Give it a go" but seriously credit to the authors Bill and Michael Faust.

The book is fantastic, it offers the reader an insightful perpective on Who they are and how they work. The best part is all of, this is done with a set of easy to follow exercises.

The net result is a greater understanding of yourself and your competencies for a prospective employer. Don't just go for any job, choose the one that's right for you.

This is book is a well kept secret that needs to get out!

No Brainer - not worth not having, 30 Oct 2007
What can I say, I bought this book recently and rewrote my CV and sent it off to a number of companies. Previously I hadn't had many replies but having changed my CV and my outlook due to this book i got offered every job I applied to. Can't argue with that - well worth the price.

Get it right first time, 31 Jul 2006
This book was practical with just one objective to get you the job you want. It did just that for me. Like most of us I was using effectively the same CV I had been using since leaving university and had not given the process any thought since. The book made it possible for me to breakdown the recruiting process into building blocks. I could critically analyse each stage and take a measured approach to answering the employer's question: What do you offer me? I would suggest, if you are serious about getting yourself to the top of the short list for interview before the next candidate, get a copy of this book.

Not Good for Graduates!!!, 09 Sep 2008
This book is ok for generic CVs etc. but as a graduate having just come out of university all I ended up with was a pompous arrogant sounding CV. I only realised this when I went to a graduate website (Prospects) and downloaded a couple of their free sample CVs. If only I had done this 3 months ago I would have saved myself alot of time, effort, rejection and 6 quid. I didn't really need this book, all I needed was an example of someone else's CV so I could work on mine! Simple as that.
I didn't like this book, it was too vague and not realistic enough

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Jan 2008
This engaging book is presented in three accessible sections: "Understanding CVs and their impact"; "Composing your CV"; and "Making your CV work for you". Its pages contain a wealth of hard-hitting, entertainingly presented advice illustrated by short, punchy examples and at-a-glance checklists. Following this clear format, you'll quickly craft a CV all but guaranteed to stand you tall in your crowd and achieve, as John says, the sole purpose "to get you into a room with someone who can influence your future".

As a Senior Outplacement Consultant with DBM in London, I think that "Why you? CV messages to win jobs" is up there with John's established classic "How to get a job you'll love". Once more he delivers what he says on the cover, and I regularly recommend both titles to my clients.


Excellent, practical advice from an expert in the field, 14 Dec 2007
Up-to-the-minute, heaps of practical information on how to put a winning CV together.
As a recruitment consultant, I welcome John Lees book. He takes the reader through preparing a CV, reminding them that its purpose is to get a meeting or interview. Then he explains how to tailor the CV for different types of job situations, especially relevant when you are trying to move into a new sector where you may not have the 'obvious' skillset. Next he explores how to proactively use your CV, in approaching agencies/headhunters and speculatively, to target organisations. This book should leave the reader feeling confident that they can produce a right-for-purpose CV and motivated to do so.
If every candidate were to read John's book before sending their CV in, it would make our sifting process much more difficult!

This book can help you, 09 Dec 2007
I think this book is great.

When I starting reading this book I doubted that it would have a great deal to say to me because I've read a number of similar books previously. I was surprised that the book made me think harder than I had expected about CVs and the context in which they are going to be read. I like the book's straightforward style of writing and I found its tone to be encouraging throughout. The use of checklists of things to do and not to do makes it very easy to see the key points.

Having a powerful CV is a key step in the job search journey and this book can help you on your way.


A definitive guide to mastering the art of CV writing, 03 Dec 2007
Why you? CV messages to win jobs is the definitive guide to CV writing and provides clear and simple guidance on which CV type to use for different career directions. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to change job or career path.

Bit boring after a while, 20 Nov 2008
I bought this for entertainment rather than to determine my IQ. I found that too many of the problems followed the same format i.e. the problems weren't varied or difficult enough and it became excruciatingly boring after I had done one or two tests.

Complete guff, 26 Jun 2007
IQ tests are a pseudo science based loosely on fact, promoted by intellectual light weights. Read this book if you dont get out often enough, or wish to pursue a career in Personnel/Human Resources.



Definitely a must read, 17 Jul 2007
I read the book in one sitting and it inspires me in many ways. As a marketing graduate, it is quite a challenge to enter the marketing field. If you are like me, this is the book you must have because it simply works. I have recommended a number of my friends to purchase the book. If you want a book about CV or Cover letter, this is the book!

Gem in a culture focused on purely CV Writing, 01 Aug 2002
This is the only book I bought to help me get a job but it was all I needed to get interviews for practically all jobs I applied for!

Fox rightly takes the salesman approach to getting a job (a key element of which is the CV, but isn't the sole focus). He covers all aspects of research, gaining attention, going for interview and backs these all up with memorable illustrations.

In just three weeks of buying this book I've got an ideal job less than a mile from my home with excellent career prospects.

Dillute some of the blatant forwardness in the book and mix with general career advice through the web and you'll land a job in no time. Buy this book if you are serious about getting a job.

Excellent Nursing Calculations Book, 12 Mar 2008
This book is a must have for all student nurses,it has all the basics to apply to everyday calculations. This will gain a student nurse or returning nurse to their profession who needs that bit of extra help with Maths. The Mock Tests are very useful to see how much you are gaining the knowledge within the book. This is a step by step book which i have found very helpful in my studies.

what a great book a must have!!, 19 Feb 2008
I only recieved my book two days ago and already i've improved. If your not good at maths or just haven't practiced in a while then this is the book for you it's brilliant. This book is a book that every student nurse or even nurse should have!!

How to master drug calculations, 19 Feb 2008
This book starts with the absolute basics and takes the reader through simple arithmetic problem solving and measurements. This is the basis for the calculation of drugs within a nursing environment and without this knowledge it would be impossible to calculate drugs. I found this particularily informative as simple omissions made at this stage could cause a major drug claculation error.

Chapters 4&5 introduced me to calculation of drugs and the different routes, followed by drug administration, particularily useful were the abbreviations that will be seen on the wards.

The mock tests at the end of the book are invaluable and will be used as a tool for renewing and updating knowledge through my training as a Paediatric Nurse.

Top Stuff, 09 May 2008
Great book and at the level it needs to be i.e. on the assumption you have at least some previous experience with CV writing.

So, using this book I rewrote my existing CV, appllied for several jobs, got an immediate interview and got the job, at double my previous salary! What more can I ask for!

I strongly reccommend this book!

Great CV book - just what you want, 27 Feb 2008
Excellent book. Covered all the CV stuff I was hoping it would. Well written (as you'd expect from the books in this series). Also personally found the "Brilliant Interview" book was excellent, along with "How to Handle Your Recruitment Consultant" (different series and different style but still totally invaluable in a job search).

Great for newbies, good for others, 26 Jul 2007
I purchased this book looking for ways to tweak my already "not so bad" CV. For someone who has already done few CV's before, the first half of the book might sound dull and after each chapter they'd say "I know that". The second part gets more interesting, as it confirms what one was hesitant about as in should we put a picture or not, etc... It also gives good tips on how to write accomplishments. The bottom line is that this book is great for someone doing his first CV, but also even the most experienced will find interesting information in it because the authors have clearly done good research.
I didn't give the book 5 stars because it didn't sound like a 2007 book. The authors suppose people will send their CV's and application letters in an envelope. I finished the book still having many unanswered questions about e-mailing applications and using online recruiters or job search engines.

Got a job after 2 days!, 24 Jul 2007
I just wanted to tell people how much of a difference it made to read this book and update my CV. Before this book I had maybe 3 calls a week from recruiters if I were lucky. I had 1 interview in a month.

I received the book on Saturday, read it and started updating my CV in the weekend. Applied for a job on Monday and got a job offer Tuesday! Also I received 6 called in 2 days from recruiters wanting to send my CV to employers or just contacting me about general inquiries.

See that is a major improvement and I would have wished that I had seen/discovered this book a month ago!

Best of luck to all you job hunters and hope this book helps you like it did me!

Good if you want a skills CV, 12 Jul 2007
This book is excellent if you're creating a 'hybrid' cv since it gives a lot of information and guidance on how to create it.
(The hybrid CV is where you put all your relevant skills on the front page, after which you list your work history in chronological order.)

However, I'm a first year marketing student trying to get work experience, so according to many careers advisors I've spoken to 'I haven't got enough experience and skills' to justify this kind of CV - I'm still looking for the perfect CV book to write the perfect CV!

To summarise, it's a detailed book covering many aspects of the 'hybrid' CV and is probably more useful during mid-career, however, I don't feel it gives enough guidance on more traditional formats which employers prefer at my stage.

very helpful, 24 Aug 2008
Great help. Much more concise, and far more useful than the other books I bought on the subject.

The perfect CV book, 24 Mar 2006
I did love this book. Not only all advice makes sense anyway, but shows the picture from the point of view of the recruiter. It serves as valuable insight and a clear guideline amidst all the debate and opinions on what CVs should be and look like. And the bonus is that it is so much fun to read!! Loved the style, it is funny, it is clear, it is easy. I loved it and recommend it to anybody thinking to set up a basic CV or put their existing one in order. My interviews are now much more pleasant since I notice recruiters do understand what my background is and sometimes even praise the CV itself! (not that it guarantees the job though).



Perfect CV, 06 Aug 2004
If you want to get ahead in your career then I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their CV to get noticed. The most important information you may need to know in order to do a good CV is in this book. It's broken down in chapters making it easy on the eye - so you won't get bored. And you can go back for reference quite easily. If it could have more of something I would say more examples of CVs. But this is not a very bad negative since it's the advice from the author that is most important. Besides for the price of this book it's definitely worth the money. I've flicked through other books and they are not as good plus they cost more (probably double for what you would pay for this). This book should be read alongside 'The Perfect Interview' - also by the same author.

Lack of information, 17 Feb 2002
It is a book like others in this category. However it should be cover more sample to make easier to understand subjects and also It should be available to get a print out for this sample .I don't understand how you can apply all these information without working on your worksheet and check each time what you have on the monitor. Bad information

This is the only book you need. Quick and easy to read, 12 Nov 2001
Don't buy any other CV book..just buy this one. Do you need to know how to write your mission statement? - It is explained in detail on how to do it. What type of words to use? - They are listed. Best layout? How to present your skills in the way that shows you added value to your company. Much more is within this small book. Its for less than four pounds... you must buy this book. Also you must buy the "The Perfect Interview"

Best choice if you're career minded, 30 Oct 2008
I bought a copy of this book 2 years ago when one of the writes spoke at Leeds University. It's been my career bible every since. Constructing your career DNA is THE most useful task that any person who wants a successful career can do. It takes a long time, but once you have your own collection of standardised experiences matched with competencies, your ready to go. When customising a cv to each job you apply for, it's jsut a matter of copying and pasting the appropriate sentence/paragraph you've made earlier. You just update this DNA as you go so each time you come to writing a new cv, you're all set.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend using the formats of the cv's that are given as an example, especially the personal statement element. It's secured me two good jobs so far.

Personal core competence model for the masses, 12 Jul 2008
Having recently met Bill Faust, I can tell you he is totally passionate about his concept - which those with a business education will tell you is basically a translation of the principles of core competency and transferrable skills to the context of an individual competing in the jobs market. It focuses your attention on what you are really good at and where you can demonstrate that expertise. By so doing, you can work laterally to develop opportunities where previously you saw none (or worse, never looked at all), and vertically as a complete end-to-end process for negotiating your place in the hierarchy of an organisation.

I put it to Bill via email (though he has yet to reply) that the career DNA bank technique should also be applicable to those wishing to change career by enabling them to recognise where their skills might be used to leverage greater career fulfilment and satisfaction.

The weakness with these techniques is that they are only as good as the individual and how comprehensively they apply they extract and apply the knowledge. Like all self-help books, those who gain greatest benefit would have achieved just as highly using other techniques proposed by other authors, but that would be a churlish critism. Bill's evangelism on the subject of self-marketing is well-placed, since maintaining a positive attitude and being brutally honest are skills from which anyone can gain in abundance.

Fantastic! understanding what your CV says about you, 13 May 2008
I purchased this book thinking, "I'll Give it a go" but seriously credit to the authors Bill and Michael Faust.

The book is fantastic, it offers the reader an insightful perpective on Who they are and how they work. The best part is all of, this is done with a set of easy to follow exercises.

The net result is a greater understanding of yourself and your competencies for a prospective employer. Don't just go for any job, choose the one that's right for you.

This is book is a well kept secret that needs to get out!

No Brainer - not worth not having, 30 Oct 2007
What can I say, I bought this book recently and rewrote my CV and sent it off to a number of companies. Previously I hadn't had many replies but having changed my CV and my outlook due to this book i got offered every job I applied to. Can't argue with that - well worth the price.

Get it right first time, 31 Jul 2006
This book was practical with just one objective to get you the job you want. It did just that for me. Like most of us I was using effectively the same CV I had been using since leaving university and had not given the process any thought since. The book made it possible for me to breakdown the recruiting process into building blocks. I could critically analyse each stage and take a measured approach to answering the employer's question: What do you offer me? I would suggest, if you are serious about getting yourself to the t