Top tips to ensure your CV gets you hired
How do you ensure your CV gets you hired? Check out these top tips.
Applying for a job is a full-time job in itself, especially now in these challenging times. Your CV needs to stand out for the right reasons.
Whilst working in recruitment for over 20 years, I’ve reviewed countless CVs across all industries, some good, some bad and some woeful! I’m sure most Recruiters would agree
As a Recruiter, my job was to rework the CV. This is turn would help the candidate land that interview, to ultimately land that job. I spent countless hours re formatting CVs and helping candidates just to land that interview.
Recruiters earn money by placing the right people in the right job and the majority of their time reworking CVs is unpaid. They only get paid on success, so a lot of work is required to get that candidate the interview.
It all comes down to one thing, a CV. That’s a Recruiter’s tool for success, and it’s also the candidate’s tool for success. Therefore, the first 30 seconds your CV lands on an employer’s desk it has to stand out.
You can be up against hundreds of people applying for the same role. Therefore, it’s essential your CV stands out. It’s all about nailing the CV, which is the tool designed to get you an interview.
Here are some tips to help your CV stand out:
- Don’t make your CV too busy.
- Don’t send the same old CV to everyone, customise it for different roles.
- Start off strong with a summary profile – summarise your experience and achievements.
- Ensure it is in chronological order.
- Emphasise results rather than responsibilities.
- Use power words.
- Back your credentials with examples.
- Stop underselling yourself, highlight achievements.
- Include extracurricular activities.
- Include your LinkedIn profile or portfolio.
- Make sure you get someone to proofread it.
- Finally, add a cover letter to support your application.
