In an ideal world recruiters would open every single CV they receive and give every applicant reasonable amount of consideration; but in reality they receive thousands of applications daily and there just isn’t enough time to open them all.
Studies have shown that recruiters spend an average of just seven seconds browsing through a CV before deciding if a candidate is suitable. This is why it is imperative to make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Here are eight simple, yet effective steps to make your CV noticeable.
- A strong start is a good start
Starting with a summary of your skills and key accomplishments will help grab the recruiter’s attention from the onset. The personal profile is your opportunity to make a lasting impression in the first few seconds by telling the recruiter exactly who you are.
- Customise it to the job you’re applying to
Redesign your CV to respond to the job description. Align your relevant skills and accomplishments to the elements of the job role. Employers are looking for candidates who understand the job requirements and this will help demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the job.
- Make your CV easy to read
Let’s assume you have only seven seconds to make an impression (based on the study) – it won’t help you or the recruiter to have long paragraphs for them extract the information they need. Instead opt to make your CV extremely easy to read with a clean, simple font, clearly divided sections and short, sharp points.
Also make it a point to research your target roles thoroughly to identify your most sought-after skills and ensure they are made prominent at the top of your CV.
- Highlight results not responsibilities
Including your past responsibilities will just show the recruiter what you have carried out at your previous jobs; instead highlight quantifiable results that showcase your accomplishments.
For example, instead of saying “I helped increase sales for Company X”, it would be more useful to mention “I increased sales by 38% in the third quarter of 2019 for Company X”.
- Give weight to your current or most recent role
It is important that you put your most recent roles and qualifications on top. Once the recruiter has had a quick scan of your CV, they will spare a few seconds on your present or most recent role to measure your capabilities. So it is advisable to spend quality time writing this role description and putting yourself in the recruiter’s shoes to think the sort of questions they will have and want answers to upon reading your CV.
- Use power words
Add emphasis to your accomplishments by using power words and give your CV additional impact. Include words such as adaptable, innovative, implemented and achieved for each of your roles, and follow up with impressive results or outcomes which demonstrate what you have delivered.
- Demonstrate that you are connected
Throughout university and in your past jobs you will have met an array of different people. It is always beneficial to foster good relations with them and make sure this comes through in your CV as well. One significant way is the referees you mention in your CV;make sure they know you personally and can positively vouch for you and your work.
Furthermore, networking displays that you have strong communication skills and this is something that employers value greatly.
- Make no mistakes
Lastly, and most important of all – weed out mistakes from your CV. Any mistake in your CV can cost you a shot at landing an interview. This is important whether you are directly sending your CV to the company or to a recruitment agency; because providing one bad CV to a client can ruin a recruiter’s reputation, so even the smallest of inconsistencies can deter them from shortlisting you.
Therefore it is imperative that you proofread your CV thoroughly; dot all the ‘I’s and cross the ‘T’s, check all the dates, do not add any white lies in an attempt to impress, and check something even as trivial as your email address – make sure it is professional. For example, avoid using something like pooja.the.great@gmail.com.
Also keep in mind that many companies now use database software to filter out candidates. This works by identifying certain key words mentioned or not mentioned in your CV. Therefore, make sure you study the job description and know what the recruiter is looking for.
Creating the perfect CV can be quite time-consuming, but in hindsight it is an opportunity to show off your accomplishments and skills to the employer. Make sure to study the industry and job description, this will not only help make a CV that stands out, but also aid during the interview.
Finally, if you’re still unsure, it is advisable to get professional help. We hope these tips help you make a great CV. Good luck with your job search!