Employers receive large number of CV’s for each job advertised. The CV is not what gets you the job; it’s what gets you the interview. CV is just about the 1st impression that we create on a prospective employer.
Pasted below are a few tips on how to make your CV stand out from the crowd and facilitate your chances of getting through the initial screening-
• Use it as a Sales Tool – As discussed earlier in our Blogs, the CV is an opportunity to sell yourself to the employers. Be specific and include a profile about yourself with your key attributes/core competencies, as this will give the recruiter a feel for what you bring to the table even before they have met you. Try to create early impact because the CV’s which grab their attention are more likely to be reviewed. So don’t waffle – use facts and achievements to sell yourself.
• Quantify your Achievements (if Possible) – Putting a number on the work you do gives hiring managers an idea how you might fit into an organization. “If you can quantify any of your job descriptions, it will give the hiring manager a much clearer image of your skills and abilities, and definitely help you get on the short list for an interview
• Be clear, concise and structured – Your Professional document should be no longer than 2-3 pages. It should be well structured and the flow of information should be appropriate. When writing about your experience or education, put the most recent experience first. Don’t use unconventional fonts, colours, shading as this would not make your CV stand out for the right reasons.
• Remove unnecessary information – Avoid putting in the words “Curriculum Vitae” at the top of your CV. Instead of naming your references, it is perfectly acceptable to include “References are available upon request”. This also has additional advantage of you knowing when an employer is contacting your reference as they need to contact you first in order to get the reference details.
• Understand what the employer is looking for – This is the most important part as most of the CV’s fall flat because they are not aligned to what an employer is looking out for. You need to review the job description for each role and tailor your CV basis the skills that is asked by the employer.
• Use Relevant Keywords – Most of the recruiters often use search tools (ATS) and keywords to find relevant candidates. Make sure you have appropriate keywords in your CV which are relevant to the job.
• LinkedIn Profile – It’s a good idea to include your LinkedIn URL on your CV. Prospective employers can, at a glance, visit LinkedIn to learn more about you and your skills and qualifications. However, you should be sure to fully develop your profile prior to listing your URL. If your profile simply restates the same information that’s included on your CV, you won’t improve your chances of getting an interview. Also make sure you include a customised URL, shorten it so it’s easy for employers to reach.
Need to shape my CV