Cross-posted from The Green Suits:

Reproduced with kind permission of Dan Smolen, Managing Director of the Green Suits - a strategic partner of Premier Consultants

A belated Happy New Year, everyone! As you can see, we've not posted in a couple of weeks. And that is because we are quite busy. A good thing...eh? Along with some very positive signs in the 2012 executive hiring market, I am pleased to inform that a concept we first reported on nearly four years ago--the Video Interview--is at last gaining broad acceptance with hiring managers.

As another year draws to a close it is probably time to reflect back on the year and forecast what will happen in 2012.

At Premier Consultants, 2011 has been a challenging but successful year. Our new website – 1 year old in March has received many accolades, including being nominated and then reaching the finals of the MARA Awards. Alas we did not win but the recognition that our site is considered highly within our industry is praise indeed and we intend to improve on its functionality and content in 2012.  

I can receive up to several (dozen) applications in a week for a wide variety of roles, however I often reject CV’s based on the way I receive a CV or its content. Here are my Top Ten  most common mistakes people make when applying for a job.

1.      If you don’t have a work permit or right of abode for the UK you will be sent a no letter.

This is an occasional series on how to maximise the benefits of Linkedin and how to use it effectively based on my experiences.

As I have mentioned before I was an 'original' user of Linkedin when it first appeared in 2003. Consequently having seen its different incarnations and developments I have used it to build and maintain relationships. It is worth pointing out it is not a substitute for good 'old fashioned' networking but a highly effective additional tool and not just for recruitment purposes!

How To Build Your Network

Over the years I have received many thousands of applications for interesting marketing roles , mainly in the form of a CV! (although not always!). One of the things that still staggers me after all these years is the inability of many people, especially those who work in marketing, who are unable present themselves in a way that will garner a positive reaction from someone like me! There are many facets to this topic and I will return to it over the coming months but there is one aspect that I wish to address now. Covering letters.

Linkedin is the pre-eminent 'social media' tool for business and from time to time I will provide snippets of information on how to make best use of this very practical business orientated website.

I am often staggered at the quality of CVs I read and how some people ‘cobble’ together a CV.  A lot about working in marketing is about an eye for detail, so I am surprised when I see CV’s that have poor grammar, bad spacing and the content is weak.

So here are a few tips on creating a CV and avoiding common mistakes.

This morning I was in receipt of an email from Reid Hoffman, the founder of Linkedin thanking me for being an early member of Linkedin. In fact I was member number 109,756! I cannot remember precisely when I joined Linkedin but it must have been in 2003. I think at the same time I joined Ecademy which was its rival at the time.

2010 was the year where social media came of age. As a recruitment tool it has the potential to be as influential as an advert in the Sunday Times used to be! LinkedIn is the social media tool of record for us and at Premier Consultants we have a policy of only contacting people who indicate they are looking at 'Career Opportunities' in their profile and usually make contact via email rather then phone them in the office. We also believe that to be a good LinkedIn member it is important to contribute to discussions so where we can (and where it is appropriate) we do so.