It seems that while there is so much information out there about how to write a great CV, most of us are still not getting the help they need. That is why this new post is important to anyone experiencing this same difficulty. Below are a few things to pay attention to as you upgrade your CV and improve your luck.
1. Write with the aim of telling your story
While a CV is better in a certain format that recruiters and employers can use to spot your qualifications, it is important that you know what you are communicating. Just listing down responsibilities and your education without telling the employers who you are as a professional will only deny you that chance.
So, how do you tell your story? Focus on letting the employer in on the specifics of your job and where you excelled most. If you are proud of something you did, let the recruiter know by including it. Instead of just writing down tasks you were involved in, say exactly what you did. Personalize your CV and let employers make out the person you are before even meeting you. This is especially common when talking about your achievements.
2. Prioritize sections based on your level of experience
Just because the sample CV you found for your profession put education first does not mean that is what is required. Also, just because experience comes first does not mean that’s exactly what you do with your CV. The section you choose to prioritize should be based on your experience and the requirements of the job you are applying for.
For instance, fresh graduates should always put their education just after the career objective (personal statement) section. This is because that is the most important information at your level. If you have a few years of experience, let your work experience come before your education. Why? At your level, recruiters and employers are more interested in your previous work.
3. Showcase your work to stand out
Are you in design and want to show potential employers what you can do? Don’t wait until you get the interview to do it. Go an extra mile and use a design of your CV that will showcase your skills before the recruiters even consider you. This will put you ahead of other candidates in your profession who used a basic CV. Are you a writer looking to portray your writing skills? Include a link to your work or attach samples of your work.
The job advert may not have asked for your previous work, but they didn’t ask you not to send it in either. By sending in your work alongside your application, you show initiative and are at a better advantage over those who didn’t. But remember that this is only specific to particular professions.
4. Let your personal statement speak for you
Your personal statement is basically your career summary where you include your career objective. Most people make the mistake of just writing the career objective and forgetting about your personal statement. Ask yourself this; who are you as a professional? If a recruiter didn’t read through your CV or Cover Letter, can they understand your expertise just by the personal statement at the top? If you are having a hard time answering these two questions, then you need to go back to your CV and consider doing an edit.
Your personal statement (or career summary) should be four or five sentences explaining your education, experience, expertise and what your future plans are. The section basically answers the question, “Tell us about yourself”. And please make sure that this section actually makes sense. Some job seekers combine adjectives and skills without too much thought, only to end up not making sense.
5. Always use bullet points for responsibilities, skills and any lists
Some people have been known to use paragraphs to explain the kind of work they were involved in or to explain their education. If you are a victim, let that change from today. By using bullet points you make it easy for recruiters to spot your qualifications and make out your suitability.
When a recruiter sees bullet points, it becomes easier to read (or at least skim through). And when listing your duties, make sure the first 5 align or relate to the ones in the job description for the position you are applying for. If you experience any trouble with this, a professional can always help at a small fee.
To upgrade your CV and get jobs, all you have to do is know what employers are looking for and prioritize on that. These points above and the posts in the links provided is all the information you need to change your luck. If still having difficulties, contact us here for that professional touch.
