We get super excited when we see a CV enter our inbox. After all, it could be our chance to help someone find their perfect job! So it’s only natural as recruiters that we want to see you put your best foot forward.
Sadly, that’s not always the case.
And though there isn’t a right or wrong way to write a CV, when we’re looking to make the perfect match, a few tweaks here and there can help you to stand out.
Keep it short and sweet!
We’d love to hear about all the amazing things you’ve done, but keeping it short with as much relevant information to the role you’re applying to is a big green tick from us!
Bullet points will be your friend (the irony that this is in a bullet point isn’t lost on us!).
Stick to a chronological order.
Keep it under 3 pages.
If you’ve got a long work history, go into detail on the last 2-3 of your most recent roles. Simply list the rest.
If it’s a short work history, don’t feel pressured to fill a gap. Simply point out what you’ve done in a role and the key skills learned relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Tell us your key achievements
Some would say a CV is where you list all the things you’ve been doing in a role. But honestly, the one’s which really stand out are those who say how they’ve made an impact within this.
For example: “Created and implemented a social media strategy which grew followers by 70% and achieved ROI and enhanced sales for the business” sounds a lot better than just creating a social media strategy - especially for those more senior level roles!
Some achievements you may want to consider:
Have you created something which achieved a result for the business?
Have you impacted ROI? And can you state a measurement of this?
Were you a key figure within a series of changes?
Did you lead and manage a team towards success?
A tailored CV
Sorry, but we know when you use the same CV to apply for multiple jobs … sometimes we even receive it multiple times.
Tailoring your CV by adapting your achievements and responsibilities to the role you’re apply for shows employers, and us as recruiters, that you’ve taken the time to read the ad and understand what the hirer is looking for.
Put simply, tailoring = a demonstration of commitment. Making you appear interested in the role and company.
Our biggest tip is to make a list of the key skills requested in the job ad. Use this to inform how you write your CV by linking in your key achievements and responsibilities from previous roles.
And those were our top 3 things we’d love to see in your CV as a recruiter. But of course if you need any further guidance around how to write and improve your CV for todays job market, then feel free to reach out!
Image credit:
Header: Image adapted from photo by RF._.studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-writing-on-her-notebook-3059747/
