Jeremy Walker of web design team Degas Guruve recently wrote about updating the RBA* website -

Richard Bailey Associates is a leading Supply Chain recruitment company and the primary objective for updating their website was simple – to attract higher quality CVs from prospective candidates. They also asked for a more radical appearance to highlight their services and job opportunities online.

The initial project time was spent liasing with RBA to establish their core offerings before structuring and communicating the details. Researching over thirty competitor and brand aspirant sites then helped define what visitors would expect to see as well as show how our client might stand out in their niche market.

Adapting and extending aspects of the existing branding meant the visual side came together easily as part of a sharper new approach which includes a defining home page graphic and a range of ‘next step’ side panel features.

Taking just over two months to design and build, the new site boasts easier navigation, stronger directions, extra contact options and new blog content. Candidates have a clearer job board with more subscription choices, the client has a bespoke CMS for focused job descriptions and a new social media strategy to connect more widely across the web.

So, how’s it doing? November’s launch saw the site exceed its highest ever total of monthly visits by over 15%, supported by their latest email newsletter also produced here. Head of Practice John Okusi told me this week that they’re already noticing better quality CVs coming through from “a first rate and high quality website” that’s “achieved alot and given us good feedback from clients”.

Moving forward, we’ll continue to offer support, ideas and reporting analysis for the web to play its full part in RBA’s multi channel approach for completing placements. With another phase of updates coming soon, watch this space!

- From the December edition of the Degas Guruve newsletter ’Get ahead on the web‘

As everyone ups their game to stand out in a very competitive marketplace, CVs need to work even harder to clearly demonstrate notable achievements, responsibilities and results.

Here are some quick pointers to getting yours right -

• Make sure – your CV is concise, chronological and up-to-date
• Be specific – about projects, categories and results you’ve been actively involved with
• Check – any objectives you include will count you in for a role, not out
• Don’t – lie, plagiarise or slip into irrelevance
• Skip – clichés and generic phrases, they won’t impress

We see a lot of CVs and will be happy to advise if you’re looking for some help with yours.