A recruiter looking through a pile of CVs needs to see information in a certain way. In the same way, when we look at a menu in a restaurant, we expect to see starters, main courses, desserts and beverages laid out in a particular way. Failure to meet the readers expectations leads to confusion. Most people will put that CV straight into the “no” pile rather than waste their time trying to pick out information that should have been readily available

Your first and second name should sit prominently at the top of your CV. There is no need for second (or more) names to be added). Leave it as plain and simple as you can and avoid pretense at all costs. A shortened version of your Christian name is increasingly acceptable, for example, Fred not Frederick is very normal nowadays. Using the name with which you answer the telephone will be fine

Include your full, correct postal address along with post code or zip code as appropriate. Landline numbers are always a good idea. Personally, I would always include a home telephone number as well as a mobile number. If you don’t have a mobile yet, consider purchasing a cheap pay as you go mobile phone- it will definitely be worth it for you

Being able to see if your CV fits with the needs of the recruiter is very important. A brief paragraph at the top of your CV, called a career statement or personal profile should do the trick. Show how you can help a business, in what industry sector, what geographical area, at what level, and what track record can you point to with which to support your application. Basically, this should entice the recruiter to read more

Working from your most recent work achievements and moving backward, you need to pick out key achievements for which you have been personally responsible. Focus on achievements and not responsibilities. Nobody takes anyone on for those reasons alone. You really need to quietly sell yourself in this, the most important section of the CV. Make sure you are telling the truth as well- you may be called on to back up these claims with factual evidence at the interview or at some later date

Academic qualifications. These need to be listed with the highest level first. Typically, post graduate qualifications first, then first degree, then higher qualifications (A levels) then lower level qualifications (GCSE). List them in the following way. Qualification title, Educational Institute, dates

Professional qualifications, unlike educational qualifications are gained through a training provider, company, individual or other organization. They are very different from academic or educational qualifications and should therefore be listed in a separate section of your CV. Show your success in taking additional training courses, personal development and the like, and write them down in the order: qualification, service provider, certificate number (if appropriate) and date(s) as appropriate

The last section of your CV is made up of hobbies, interests, other information, etc. This information is a bit like the relish on a burger- not much use without the main ingredient, but it can make the difference between a memorable meal or just another snack. Your interests should be factual. Never put your actual date of birth on your CV. There are far too many people who may want to make use of this valuable personal information who may wish to use it to steal your identity

It can be very intimidating to get ready for your first grappling tournament, especially if it’s a tournament that you have entered without the help of the gym. But there are hundreds of people who go through this every single tournament and you should not be worried about it. If you prepared properly in the beginning he should have no problem in the tournament. Here are some tips to help you get mentally prepared to compete and succeed in a grappling tournament.

Experience tells me in my grappling tournament experience and also coaching other people in their grappling tournament experience that the rules are very important, which seems very obvious but it’s really not. You should always check the rules to see what moves are allowed and which moves are disallowed. I have seen many competitors be disqualified because they use illegal moves or slam their opponent to the mat (which has never been allowed in any grappling tournament Ive seen or been involved with). This is a really easy thing that a lot of people overlook when they get into a grappling tournament. I’ve seen in the people’s days come to an end, because they just did not look at the rules. Do not let this happen to you. Do not let yourself get into the championship round only to lose because, you did not look at the rules carefully. So my best advice to you is to train inside of those rules at least three to four weeks outside of the competition, whether if its with a partner, youre grappling dummy or in your mind, you should be ready to grapple underneath those rules. This will help you tremendously when you get into the grappling situation.

Take a hint from NBA players and have a pregame ritual. NBA players usually always have a ritual to go through before the shoot a free-throw shot this because it helps to them feel relaxed even though the crowd is trying to distract them from their job. Many times during NBA broadcasts at the broadcaster will mention this, because the players who do have a ritual will usually always make after they perform it. So you should have one too. Whether that ritual is certain exercises like stretching or exercises you do before the match, you should have it available. You will feel stressed before the first match and subsequent matches, if you’re not mentally prepared to handle the stress, you will do poorly in the match. Especially if that opponent is bigger than you or you believe in your mind that they might be more skilled than you. Your pregame ritual will save you, so you should have it.

What to do when you’re on the mat and you get nervous. I would suggest that you have another ritual for this. Possibly something that you cannot be stopped from doing like touching your thumb in your index finger together, which is another neural linguistic programming technique to call up a certain feeling that you need to compete at your highest level. Or maybe it’s as easy as taking three deep breaths. Outside of this you should have already been visualizing getting in trouble in getting out of trouble in your training anyway. You should try to relax and remember that no matter what the situation is that this is still just training. You’re not really in a fight with someone trying to take your head off so try and relax and work your way out. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes because you will feel spaces where you will usually have known they were open (which is great training anyway, you probably should be doing).

Of course before you enter your grappling tournament, you should have already been doing some sort of exercises I recommend some of Frank Shamrock’s home work out because it’s based around grappling. You want a workout be as close to the competition that you’re entering or the activity that you’re doing is possible. So the system best way to be ready for the tournament. You may feel stress, which will help you because you’ve learned how to deal with it before hand during your workouts.

I hope you’ve taken notes, because all these tips will help you tremendously when you get into your grappling tournament and hopefully all the skill that you have cultivated will come out as long as you stay relaxed and you are properly trained for the tournament mentally and physically. And remember you should have the right rituals to go along with those attributes. Staying relaxed will keep you out of trouble in the grappling tournament when you roll into submissions as you will, and will help you get out of them. You must stay relaxed. I wish you luck in all your grappling endeavors