Since the rise of email- and more recently social networks like LinkedIn- the demise of the CV has long been predicted. However, it is still in regular use. Whether in the form of a printed copy or in PDF format, the CV is still the most accepted method of applying for a job. Even once you have undertaken the completion of an application for a job on a company’s up to date recruitment site, you are still more often than not asked to attach your CV at the end. This is because the CV is still the easiest way to view a complete summation of a candidate’s employment history, it is also a standardised way of comparing multiple candidates- not everyone has a LinkedIn profile, but everyone has a CV.
Some companies have tried to carry out innovative recruitment techniques as a modern alternative to the CV- for example one company were only accepting YouTube submissions in order to apply for vacancies, but they quickly realised that not everyone had the skills or time to be creating a video so soon allowed traditional CV submissions as well. LinkedIn could eventually become a viable alternative to the CV, however there is a generational problem- older candidates do not know how to best utilise a LinkedIn profile, or even what LinkedIn is! The way a CV is structured and formatted can tell an employer even more about the candidate- whether they are actually able to use Word, how meticulous they are in their level of attention to detail, and of course the worst thing you could possibly include in your CV- a spelling mistake.
The industry you’re applying for also helps determine just how essential a CV is to your application- if you are entering into something in the creative or technology industries then you are far more likely to be judged on your online presence and portfolio than on a CV. However for most other industries, and especially entry level jobs, a CV is vital. By constructing a CV that is concise, but still gives your employment history in as much detail as possible, free of any clichés and has a little about your personal life so the employer can get more of an idea who you are, you can really stand out from the crowd and boost your chances of getting an interview.
Another important consideration to make is your social media profiles, if an employer has your CV in front of them they are more than likely going to search your name on Google to see what comes up, so ensure that you continue the professional image you projected through your CV into your Twitter or Facebook accounts- it won’t matter what great stuff you have put on your CV if after just a quick search an employer can find something offensive you’ve posted, ultimately deeming you unemployable. So, to sum up- the CV is still important and will be for some time to come, however the internet cannot be ignored and your social media presence will continue to gain in importance as the years go by.
