Why is my CV-writing and job-search company called DJMRO?

I sometimes get asked why my executive CV-writing and job-search company is called DJMRO. The simple answer is that it stands for Darren John Manning Resumes and Outplacement.

We are not, strictly speaking, an outplacement company; DJMRO writes excellent CVs for customer mostly - but not exclusively - in the international Telecoms and  Technology sectors. We also help ICT executives (Managers, Directors, VPs, C-level), find new roles by utilizing my extensive connections in Telecoms and Tech worldwide, through my Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost job-search packages. See www.djmro.com for details.

I also like the DJMRO name as my customers come from just about every country in the world and the name does not have  - as far as I know - any meanings in different languages. I hope that clears it up!
            

New-look international Telecoms CV-writing & job-search website: www.djmro.com

My executive CV-writing and unique job-search website - www.djmro.com - has now been amended and has some new items.

To recap, I offer three services, mostly - but not exclusively - to senior international Telecoms and Technology professionals: executive CV-writing alongside two unique job-search service packages, Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost. All designed to help you find a new role.

If you are looking for a new role in international ICT then we can help. Check out the site and my LinkedIn profile for details of my recommendations/testimonials to see what customers have said about my services. I can be contacted via LinkedIn or by email: info@djmro.com        

DJMRO CV Marketing and Career Boost: new guarantee

Our guarantee:  If you are interested in our Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns or DJMRO Career Boost service packages and we do not think we can help you find a new role, we will tell you and not take you on as a customer. 

If we do take you on as a customer we cannot guarantee success, but we will do everything in our power to help you find your target role.  Most of our customers find new roles within 6 months. If you fail to secure a new role within a year, we will extend the service by a further 3 months free of charge. 

For more details of our unique job-search services see www.djmro.com  

Should I include my personal interests in my CV?

Some people say don’t include interests in your CV if you are an experienced senior professional as they are not “serious” enough and your CV should present you as a sober and professional businessperson, but it is OK for younger job-seekers to include them. Some people say don’t include them whoever you are.

I don’t agree; including interests humanizes a CV and helps to illuminate your personality. I think not including any is a bit boring – however senior you are.

A note of caution: be prepared to talk about your interests at interview. In a long recruitment career,  I always asked candidates about their interests at interview, and I’ve had more than one interviewee struggle to answer my questions. If you list an interest then make sure you can talk about it.

Some job-seekers list interests that they think make them look good for the role in question; “reading business books” is a classic example. This is a bit creepy in my view. If your interests coincide with the job/company you are approaching that's great, but don't contrive this coincidence. Be honest and open about what you like to do in your spare time. I suppose if your interests are particularly weird and/or controversial then they could be off-putting. Use your judgement.

So, be honest and be prepared to talk about your interests, don’t invent them or include them if they are too weird or controversial and don’t be boring and just list work-related stuff as interests. It’s simple!

My company, DJMRO, offers executive CV-writing services as well as two unique job-seeking packages; Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost. Most, but not all, of my clients are mid to senior executives in the global ICT sector. See my LinkedIn profile and www.djmro.com for more info.

A selection of excellent Telecoms/Tech senior job-seekers who can be introduced to you free-of-charge

We are currently working with some exceptional candidates who are all seeking a new challenge in the global Telecoms/ICT sector.  

Recruiters: for more info about these candidates/a full CV please contact me, quoting the relevant reference number. There are no fees for you to pay if you recruit a DJMRO customer.

1/ International Telecoms & Technology executive, currently Consulting Director for a global tech company in the GCC, and now seeking a new professional challenge. Over 20 years’ experience with both major operators and vendors and his experience encompasses Convergent Business Support Systems (BSS) covering the Revenue and Customer Management domains. He possesses the proven ability to deliver innovative solutions to business challenges while managing budgets and profitability. Speaks both Arabic and English and is highly self-confident with exceptional communication skills.  Now seeks a challenging new leadership position as a CIO / IT Director for a Telecom Operator/MVNO, or as a Consulting Director with a leading BSS vendor or Consulting Firm.

For full CV request CV01 Oct 2014.

2/ Senior HR Manager in North Africa, and now seeks a new professional challenge in an HR leadership position. A generalist, whose experience covers the whole HR remit including departmental leadership, development of HR policy and procedures, day-to-day HR management, recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations etc and with over  20 years professional experience, mostly in large IT & Telecoms multinationals. Additionally, speaks Arabic and English fluently.

Now seeks a challenging new HR leadership position. 

For full CV request CV02 Oct 2014.

3/ An exceptional international Telecoms executive, currently Director Network Engineering for a major operator, and now seeking a new professional challenge as a Chief Technology Officer with a forward-thinking Telecoms / Technology corporate. Strong strategic vision, business focus and people skills and the real and demonstrable ability to drive lasting and effective business change & technological improvements, introduce sensible cost controls and increase profitability. Now seeks a new challenge as a Chief Technology Officer. 

For full CV request CV03 Oct 2014

4/ Experienced ICT CTO, offering substantial international experience, and now looking for a new professional challenge. Over twenty years’ overall senior executive experience as a CTO/CTIO managing multicultural & diverse Telecoms teams of up to 500 staff and has successfully led over 100 Telecoms projects with budgets from 1.5m to 500m USD. Now seeks a challenge as a CTO (or similar) in the global Telecoms sector. 

For full CV request CV04 Oct 2014

5/  A Telecoms executive, currently a Senior Channel Sales Manager for  a large operator in the GCC and now looking for a new and senior professional challenge within the global ICT sector.

His experience includes successfully leading sales operations, motivating and managing sales staff, improving operations and increasing turnover and profitability. Possesses a degree in Business Administration and speaks Arabic and English fluently. Now seeks a challenging new sales leadership position at Director-level. 

For full CV request CV05 Oct 2014

6/  A senior international Telecoms professional, currently a Senior Roaming Revenue Manager for a large Middle Eastern operator, and now seeking a new challenge. His experience includes the control of roaming revenues & traffic flow, IT Project Management, billing convergent solutions, customer care support systems, fraud & revenue assurance etc. Speaks Arabic, English and conversational French. Now seeks a challenging new leadership position. 

For full CV request CV06 Oct 2014.

Recruiters: contact Darren Manning on + 44 7772 101 364 or info@djmro.com to learn more about these impressive executives and to request their full CVs.

Senior job-seekers: looking for a new role in Telecoms/Technology? Contact me to discuss how we can help you find a new challenge. DJMRO offers senior, professional CV-writing services as well as two unique careers packages for executive job-seekers; Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost. See my Linkedin profile and www.djmro.com for more info.

Looking for a new role in international Telecoms/Technology? If so, take a look at Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns

Looking for a new role in international Telecoms/Technology?  If so, Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns may be right for you.  This is a unique job-seeking bundle of services to help the busy international Telecoms/Tech executive find a new role. It includes:

1/ A new CV:  after your initial contact, we will arrange to talk to you to discuss your past career and your future career aspirations.  We will then produce a professional CV for further discussion and subsequent approval. This is a process rather than a "one-off" writing service and we are happy to work with you through any number of drafts before we reach the perfect CV that positions/sells you in the right way to achieve more interviews.

2/ A CV Marketing Campaign:  we'll agree what kind of roles, sectors and world regions you'd like to target and we'll research the companies and contacts that are right for you. We'll get your CV on the desk of the most appropriate decision makers. Hiring companies have no fees to pay; increasing your chances of securing job offers. We'll follow up with phone calls, email and Social Media messages.

3/ We’ll also help with covering emails for different uses such as specific job applications and head-hunter approaches and we'll be available for a full 12 months as your personal career adviser and sounding board; providing help and advice whenever you need it.

Take charge of your career with Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns. Contact Darren Manning to get started: info@djmro.com. Full details at www.djmro.com    

How to get started with our CV-writing service

I write excellent CVs/resumes for my clients, many of whom are senior managers and directors in the global ICT Sector. See www.djmro.com for details.

To get started with the CV-writing service, simply send your existing CV to info@djmro.com and let me know when you are free to talk to discuss your past career and your future career aspirations. This initial consultation takes around 30 minutes.

I will then produce a professional CV for further discussion and subsequent approval. This is a process rather than a "one-off" writing service and I am happy to work with you through any number of drafts before we reach the perfect CV.

The fee is £165 (UK) and is payable on commencement.  Pay via Paypal when you first get in touch by following the links on www.djmro.com, or wait until we have spoken; it is up to you.

A well-written CV could make a huge difference to your career. To discuss, email me at info@djmro.com or call + 44 7772 101 364

DJMRO Career Boost: helping you find a new role in international Telecoms/Technology

Looking for a new role in international Telecoms/Technology?  If so, DJMRO Career Boost may be right for you.  DJMRO Career Boost is our premier service and consists of a range of career /job-seeking services (see www.djmro.com for details) to help the busy international Telecoms/Tech executive find a new role. It includes: 

1. A detailed initial career/CV consultation.

2. A new CV/LinkedIn profile - we will re-write your CV so it both describes and sells you in the most convincing and persuasive way possible. We'll also help with covering emails for various scenarios - job applications, speculative approaches to companies, headhunter intros etc.  

3. An Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaign - we'll agree what kind of roles, sectors and world regions you'd like to target and we'll research the companies and contacts that are right for you. We'll get your CV on the desk of the most appropriate decision makers. Hiring companies have no fees to pay; increasing your chances of securing job offers. We'll follow up with phone calls, email and Social Media messages.

4. An intensive interview training and feedback session - we do this on Skype and stage a detailed and intensive mock interview, followed by verbal and written feedback to allow you to fine-tune your interview performance; this is a powerful learning experience.

5. We'll also be available for a full 12 months as your personal career adviser and sounding board; providing help and advice whenever you need it.

We aim to develop a dynamic working relationship that will really boost your career. We cannot guarantee that you will get the perfect role but we can dramatically increase your chances.

Contact Darren Manning to get started: info@djmro.com. Full details at www.djmro.com    

How to write a great CV; 13 points to consider

1/ Keep it short: the purpose of a CV is to present you to potential employers (and their agents) to secure an interview. A CV is not an exhaustive list of everything you've ever done. Two pages are usually enough for most job-seekers - three pages are OK if you are really senior. Remember that many recruiters – both in-house and agency – will spend seconds rather than minutes reviewing your CV. 

2/ Ensure the CV communicates a clear message: can the reader identify what you can offer after a few seconds? I favour a “Profile and Objective” section at the top of page one that describes your professional offering. You should see the opening lines of this profile section as synonymous with an elevator speech that summarizes your professional experience, and what you can bring to the table, in a few lines. It should describe and sell you in a straightforward and convincing way. 

3/  The Profile & Objective section should focus on telling prospective employers what you can do for them and not what they can do for your career.

4/ Use a simple design: overuse of colour/fonts and over-fussy design can distract the reader. 

5/ Professional achievements: don’t just list your duties in each role. Focus on what you brought to each position. How did you add value? I recommend the inclusion of achievements to support your job responsibilities. If possible they should be supported by hard data; money generated or saved, time saved by process improvements and so on. Also include awards and commendations.  

6/ Leave it out: mug shots, race, marital status, age, religion – in most territories these details are not required and their inclusion may be off-putting.  

7/ Use a simple format: a reverse chronological CV is best. “Functional” or skills-based CVs can confuse and irritate the reader. 

8/ Write in simple language; don’t over-complicate. Avoid clichés. Write in the third person.

9/ Leave out the jargon: company-specific and obscure jargon is best avoided. Why confuse the reader? 

10/ Check and check again: spelling errors and typos must be avoided! 

11/Tailor the CV to each type of vacancy: if you are applying for different categories of role you will need different versions of your CV. It may be enough to change the “Profile and Objective” section.

12/Key words and electronic sifting: be aware that this takes place. Think what key words and phrases recruiters might use to sift CVs in your discipline. Include them throughout your CV. 

13/ Do include: interests (unless mad or bad), languages, education (unless hopeless), your full contact details (landline/mobile/Skype/email and maybe a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile) and address. 

There are many issues to consider when writing a CV. That’s why many people call on a professional CV-writer to help them with this crucial document. I offer a senior, professional CV-writing service. See my LinkedIn profile and www.djmro.com for more info.  Good luck! 

Getting interviews but no job offers? Maybe your interview technique is letting you down

Are you managing to secure interviews but failing to win the job? Maybe your interview technique is letting you down. I can help, DJMRO now offers a new Skype-based Interview Workshop service package.

On Skype, and posing as a senior end-employer line or HR manager, I will put you through a tough and probing interview. I will ask a series of questions that include all the major types (competency-based, factual, stress/unusual, case study etc etc). This will not be an easy interview. I will then discuss your answers with you in detail, working through them in a forensic manner. I will provide both verbal feedback and a written commentary about the strengths and weaknesses of your answers and how you might improve your responses; analyzing where your answers were weakest and how they might be improved.  

This is a powerful learning experience and can make the difference between job offer and interview rejection in the future. Get in touch to get started. This service is priced at £165 (UK), which includes an initial planning conversation, a one hour interview workshop, verbal feedback and a detailed interview commentary/report.

See my Linkedin profile and my website www.djmro.com for more details about the other unique career services that I offer.

DJMRO is a new concept in career advice for Telecoms, Technology and Mining executives (and sometimes people in other sectors) and offers senior, professional CV-writing services as well as two unique careers packages for executive job-seekers; Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost.

Do you only work with Telecoms & Technology Executives?

I sometimes get asked if I only work with executives in the global Telecoms and Technology sectors; writing their CVs and marketing them to end-employers and headhunters to help them find new roles.

The answer is yes and no.....whilst is is true that most of my customers for Individually-tailored CV Marketing Campaigns and DJMRO Career Boost are in international Telecoms and Technology, I also have great connections in Mining and Manufacturing so sometimes I help people who work in those sectors too.

However, regarding my executive CV-writing service, I frequently win commissions from people in a wide variety of sectors and not just ICT.  It is true that I have many Telecoms and Technology customers but I believe that I can add serious value to each and every CV/resume.        

My customers are Managers, Directors, VPs, C-level execs etc and they work in Finance, HR, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Technology, Engineering etc etc - they are a very wide collection of people.

I also work with customers worldwide and I really mean that!  I have many, many customers in the Middle East as well as Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas; just about everywhere in fact.

For details about my CV-writing and unique job-searching service packages take a look at www.djmro.com  

How to write a CV / resume that works

Many people approach writing a CV with real trepidation and I can understand why, it is easy to make mistakes and there are many potential pitfalls.

Firstly, it’s important to define what a CV is for. The purpose of a CV is to represent the job-seeker to a potential employer with a view to securing an interview. That’s it. A CV is not an exhaustive list or complete history, it is a sales document designed to get the job-seeker in front of the potential employer. It is a personal branding statement with a clear objective – to secure an interview.

There are some common mistakes that the novice CV-writer makes. These include issues around CV length, honesty, inappropriate use of humour, inclusion of unnecessary details (date-of-birth, marital status), overuse of jargon and acronyms, use of clichés, opting for a hard to understand skills-based CV, over elaborate formatting, poor design decisions and spelling errors. I will discuss these problems in detail in future blog posts. Other issues include not tailoring the CV to each application. This is another subject that I will return to in later blog posts.

Here’s how I recommend one should write a CV.

Length: two pages is preferred for most professionals some way into their career. This is not a hard and fast rule and three pages is not a disaster but recruiters who work for end-employers and agencies will read a CV in seconds rather than minutes. The CV must be easy to read and brief.

Format: keep it simple; avoid unusual typefaces and too much formatting or the design and layout will detract from the message.

Profiles: I like to write a two or three paragraph profile at the top of page one. This is one of the key parts of the CV. You should see the opening lines of the profile as synonymous with an elevator speech – this part summarizes your professional experience and what you can bring to the table in a few lines. The recruiter should be able to establish what you can offer in seconds.

Achievements: these should follow the profile and are a list of three to five professional achievements from recent roles. They may include awards. If possible they should be supported by hard data; money generated or saved, time saved by process improvements and so on. You may prefer to work this section into the work experience (below). 

Then write up work experience in reverse chronological order. Keep it brief. Use bullet points and focus on the use of positive action words and searchable keywords. Focus on what you achieved rather than your responsibilities.

Other sections will include education/professional qualifications, personal contact details and possibly systems and technical knowledge where appropriate.

There are many issues to consider when writing a CV and that’s why many people call on a professional CV-writer to help them with this crucial document. My Career Advice company DJMRO offers senior, professional CV-writing services for executive job-seekers.

See my LinkedIn profile and www.djmro.com for more info or email me at info@djmro.com My CV-writing service is priced at £165 (UK) - a small price to pay for a document that will help you get interviews.

DJMRO in the World

Dear Connections, from today, I will be donating 5% of all DJMRO net profits to the Red Crescent (50%) and Red Cross (50%). There are many good causes out there but I think these two do some brilliant and much needed work worldwide. They are also a very good fit with the international nature of my CV-writing and Career Advice client base, who come from all over the world, with many Middle East-based customers.  

All best, 

Darren Manning, 
MD, DJMRO. 
PS: see www.djmro.com for the new section of the website (About Us page).

Free senior CV review

What will recruiters/HR professionals think of your CV? Does your CV sell your experience properly? Is your CV working hard for you? Could it be improved? 

It’s hard to stand back and critically appraise your own CV; you are just too close to it. For a limited period only I am offering a free CV review. Send your CV to me in August (info@djmro.com) and I will read it and provide you with a critical appraisal. My expertise lies in career advice, CV-writing and senior recruitment and I believe that it is an unusual CV indeed that cannot be improved in some way.

After I have commented on your CV you may then decide to commission me to write a new version. It’s up to you – there is no obligation for you to buy, but if you do my CV-writing service is priced at just £165; a small price to pay for such a crucial and potentially life-changing document.

Send your CV to info@djmro.com

How to find a new role

Looking for a new role?  Then make sure you use all of the main channels to market to maximize your chances.

1/  Job applications:  search the job boards and publications for your sector. Amend your CV if required to fit the role better. Send a short covering email. Keep it simple. Remember: tell employers how your skills/experience can help them and not what the role could do for you.

2/  Your personal network: ex-colleagues, business partners, friends and family.  As far as confidentiality allows, tell them you are looking. Seek advice. Pull in favours. Network.

3/  Social Media:  make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Include a picture. Get recommendations and endorsements. Get active in groups. Post material in your areas of expertise. Make new connections. Ask for advice. Reach out to people.

4/  Direct approaches to employers: find the companies you want to work for in the sectors and geographies that interest you and email them. Try and find the right contacts via LinkedIn or on their websites.  Keep your email simple. Tell them what you can offer.

5/  Headhunters/recruiters: find the  right ones and get in touch.  Talk to many not few.

Good luck!                    

Excellent executive CV / resume-writing services

My customers tell me that my CVs work: they get them more interviews compared to their old CVs. Just to clarify, DJMRO is now focused 100% on CV-writing. Many - but not all - of my customers are senior executives in the Telecoms and Technology sectors.  To find out more see my LinkedIn profile and www.djmro.com.   I have written hundreds of CVs for my clients who come from all over the world and include senior managers, Directors and C-level professionals from operators, consultancies and vendors.

My CV philosophy is clear: CVs should be short and to-the-point. Two pages are ideal. CVs should begin with a strong opening section that describes and sells the person and explains what they can bring to a prospective end employer. The job sections should be rich with achievements wherever possible. Less is more with CV-writing and over-long CVs will harm your prospects!

I no longer carry out CV-marketing projects for DJMRO clients and soon the website will be altered to reflect this change.

Regarding job seeking, I have this advice:

1/  Know your target sectors/roles and think creatively about related areas that could use your skills.
2/  Get an excellent CV written. Make sure it can be easily read and understood by a time-pressed reader.
3/  Apply for jobs using a short covering letter/CV. Tailor the CV and letter for each individual application.
4/  Also approach headhunters/recruitment consultants. The more the better.
5/  Send speculative applications to target companies.

To a certain extent job-seeking, even at senior levels, is a numbers game. Put in the work and you should get results.

Contact me anytime to discuss re-writing your CV. I charge £165 (UK) for this service. Email your existing CV to info@djmro.com and let me know when you are free to talk.

All best,

Darren Manning
www.djmro.com