The concept of a ‘perfect CV’ is highly debatable. Whilst some say that it simply does not exist, if you ask three different people on what their perception of a great CV is, you will most certainly receive three different answers.
So what is it that makes a CV stand out from an ocean of applications? Whilst the concept of a perfect CV is subjective and varies within industry, the fundamental elements of what makes an outstanding CV remains the same across the board. Imagine yourself as a brand. Your CV is simply a tool to market and sell your brand. To get a clear understanding of how to do this, here are 6 Ways To Ensure Your CV Is Employment Ready.
1. PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING
First things first – the presentation of your CV is super, incredibly important. Although we have been taught to ‘never judge a book by its cover’, we can’t help but do it anyway. When you sat on the bus or the train this morning, the probability that you chose to sit next to the person who you felt had a suitable appearance is high, rather than some who did not.
This same concept also applies when you apply for a job. Did you know that recruiters spend an average of 5-7 seconds looking at an individual CV? Which means that in order to give a good initial impression right off the bat, the appearance of your CV must grab attention easily – but not in the ‘I posted my CV on a bright coloured background to stand out’ type of way. When it comes to the presentation of your CV, employers are looking for simplicity. Keep your format and layout clean, clear and well structured by using adequate spacing, title headings and bullet points where necessary, and use a classic font (such as Arial or Times New Roman) for easy readability.
2. KEEP IT BRIEF AND CONCISE
As stated above, your CV will initially be looked at within 6 seconds, so it is important to keep your CV short and to the point, making sure to list your most attractive selling points within the top. In terms of length, a general rule of thumb is to keep it to two pages maximum.
3. CONTENT IS KING
Whilst we waxed on about the importance of presentation , there is nothing more important than the actual content of your CV. Unfortunately, the best looking CV will not get you any interviews. Your CV is your first point of contact with potential employers, and your tool to persuade employers to hire you. What is it that makes you different from the other few hundred people also applying for the role? Employers essentially want to know what you can do for the company.
Don’t fall into the trap of simply listing common duties and requirements that you fulfilled in previous job roles. Demonstrate why you are perfect for the role by showcasing your transferable skills and achievements through concrete examples, and make use of key phrases and words that appear in the job description. Above all, make sure to align your skill set to the job requirements. You only have a limited amount of space to market yourself. Make every word count.
4. TAILOR YOUR CV TO YOUR AUDIENCE
Once you have created a CV that you are proud of, it is very easy to fall into the ‘one size fits all’ trap when applying for multiple jobs. It is widely encouraged to adapt your CV to suit the requirements of each particular job, and the values of each company. You may have to do extra research, but it will definitely set you apart from other applicants.
5. SPELL CHECK
As any recruiter will tell you, a CV with spelling mistakes and basic grammatical errors is a major turn-off, and will most likely leave a dent on your credibility for the role. Never underestimate the importance of proofreading your CV several times to pick up on mistakes – using a spell checker is simply not always reliable. Having another fresh set of eyes is also helpful to discover personal errors you may have overlooked, and if this is not possible, a good habit would be to read your CV aloud, word by word in order to listen to the message you are conveying.
6. CLEAN UP YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
Your CV could very well be ticking all the boxes required, but many recruiters, if not all will go the extra mile to search for you on social media as part of their screening process. If a recruiter may consider you for a position, they will want to get insight as to what you are like as a person, and determine whether you are a good fit for their company. Essentially, your digital footprint is an extension of your CV.
How you portray yourself and how people respond to you on your Facebook and Twitter can play a big part in whether you receive a job offer or not. It is best to use personal judgement with the information you decide to remain in the public eye and what you make private, but generally, make sure to keep your public profiles appropriate – you never know who is watching.
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