In just nine speedy seconds the average recruiter will have decided whether you are suitable for a job or not. It is therefore vital to ensure that your CV showcases your experience and relevance in the best possible way.
Too many candidates forget that this simple document is often the first stepping stone to a fantastic opportunity, so it’s essential that it packs the wow-factor. Here’s our top tips on how to create a CV that will help you stand out:
Presentation is key
The cosmetic appearance of your CV completely frames how you are perceived by an employer so it’s crucial to get it right. Given that you’ve got all of nine seconds to make an impression, making your information digestible and accessible is key. Using lists and bullet points is going to make it far easier for a recruiter to pull out the relevant details quickly. What’s more, keeping your style (font, colour etc.) consistent, neat and slick will go a long way to creating the right impression.
Get the basics right
The best way to rile a recruiter is to submit a CV littered with spelling and grammar mistakes – it looks lazy, unprofessional and demonstrates poor attention to detail; three traits you wouldn’t dream of using to publicise yourself during a job hunt. Don’t give someone a reason to discount you for a position before they’ve been fully exposed to your achievements and experience.
Regularly update your CV
This is obviously hugely important if you are actively on the market for a new role. However, if you’re not, it doesn’t hurt to freshen up your CV every few months. It’s so easy to forget key career milestones and then when it comes to dipping your toe into the job market your CV doesn’t accurately reflect all your relevant achievements.
Highlight your personality
The first question a recruiter will ask when reviewing your CV is – are they capable of doing the job? And if the answer’s yes, well you’re one step closer to securing your next role. The second question is – are they right for the business?
This concerns your sector experience, types of previous employers and your team fit. Whilst fit is best assessed in person, including relevant interests and hobbies on your CV can help highlight your personality and further demonstrate your relevance to the employer.
Tailor your CV to the role
Displaying a firm grasp of the role and the business shows you are really serious about the opportunity. Tailoring your CV to the skillset that is required is imperative for getting that initial foot in the door; it shows both initiative and understanding.
Include a relevant cover letter
A cover letter is a great way to support your CV by demonstrating more of your personality, whilst highlighting what you can bring to the role and business. However, the biggest mistake you can make is enclosing a generic cover letter. A recruiter will translate this to ‘you are applying for jobs en masse and are taking a one size fits all approach to your job hunt’.
Strike the right balance between ‘just enough detail’ and ‘too long’
Navigating the fine line between detailing your experience and overwhelming potential employers can be a daunting task. It’s essential to strike a balance, presenting a comprehensive yet concise reflection of your professional journey.
Start by focusing on relevancy; highlight experiences and skills that align closely with the job description, trimming down on unrelated details. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact and employ clear, concise language.
Prioritise the depth of information over breadth, providing more details for significant roles and accomplishments. Tailor your CV for each application, ensuring it showcases the most relevant aspects of your career, and remember, a well-structured, focused CV can speak volumes more than a lengthy, cluttered one.
Honesty
Exaggeration… we’re all guilty of it at some point or another. Why let a few facts get in the way of a good story, right? Wrong. Your CV really isn’t the place for fabrication or exaggeration. Recruiters aren’t stupid and realise if you’ve sprinkled a little pixie dust over your CV to help sell yourself.
We’re interested in the facts; tangible achievements, job tenure, job titles, previous employers, qualifications and where possible, some hard statistics. It will soon become very clear if you can’t evidence your statements during further conversations. Recruiters will also cross reference your CV with your LinkedIn profile, so it’s important that each is aligned.
Explain gaps in your employment
Recruiters are trained to look out for a number of ‘red flags’ when sifting through CVs such as ‘job-hopping’ or long gaps in employment. There are many valid reasons why an individual should need or want to take time out from a career that wouldn’t be classified as a ‘red flag’. So don’t leave us guessing! If you’ve taken time out for studying, to have children, or so on, then tell us.
Concluding Thoughts
Crafting a CV is an art form, where presentation, content, and honesty intertwine to portray the best version of your professional self. The nuances of creating a compelling CV can make the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in the shuffle. Remember, it’s about striking the right balance: presenting information that’s digestible yet detailed, showcasing your personality alongside your achievements, and being truthful while putting your best foot forward.
Regularly updating your CV and tailoring it to each role demonstrates initiative and a deep understanding of your prospective employer’s needs. By avoiding a generic approach and paying attention to detail, you show recruiters not only your qualifications but your dedication and respect for the process.
Whether you’re actively seeking or just keeping your options open, ensuring your CV is polished, accurate, and reflective of your true self is the key to unlocking the doors of opportunity.
