Creating a good CV is crucial to getting a job; a recruiter has to look through hundreds of CVs a day, so will only spend about 6 seconds scanning your CV. So they will not read the detail. They will only read most noticeable parts of your CV.
By following these 10 tips, you will be more likely to succeed in grabbing the employer’s attention.
Please avoid the common mistake of using fancy fonts or mixed fonts and colours.
When you use funny formatting the employer sees you as someone who is not serious.
New research has shown that 90% of CVs are not read by the hiring manager.
Click here to find out how to get past the CV filter and on to the desk of the hiring manager
1. DO NOT WAFFLE
Clients do not like waffle, be precise and to the point. When you approach a subject make sure you know what you’re talking about, pretending to know something when you don’t is a sure way to get your CV thrown in the bin.
2. PUT YOUR ADDRESS & CONTACT DETAILS at the end of your CV
You want the recruiter to spend time reading your qualifications and experience rather than your contact details. A simple trick that will double your chances. Just put your name at the top. If the recruiter has 6 seconds to spend on your CV you don’t want 3 of those seconds reading your contact details.
3. BE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU WANT
In your summary write down what you want. Write things such as your salary expectations, your career level goals and what you would like to achieve in this role. The recruiter will appreciate an honest person who knows what they want. Also, there is no point going to interview, being offered the job and then refusing the job because it is not what you wanted.
4. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR BEST QUALITIES at the top of the CV
This helps the recruter to quickly decide whether you are the right type of person for the company or not. If these details are hard to find on your CV, the recruiter will stop looking and throw your CV in the bin after a few seconds to start reading the next CV in his big pile of CVs.
To the right is an example of an average CV.
Note that this CV is only 1 side of an A4
Note also that the contact details are at the bottom.
Also a photo and just the name at the top makes it personal.
But check on current trends. Photos on CVs are going out of fashion in some countries now.
5. MAKE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY EASY TO UNDERSTAND
Make a clear and easy to understand list of dates, employers and your job role.
Use bullet point lists to list out the reponsibilities for each role. Put the most important role first followed by less important roles below.
6. GRAMMAR, SPELLING & PUNCTUATION
Put your CV through a good grammar and spell checker such as that found on WORD and then ask a friend to look over it for spelling and grammar errors. After you have finished your CV come back to it 24 hours later and check it again. There is always something you spot on a second look. Some recruiters will not forgive these types of mistake and dump your CV in the bin as an excuse to reduce the number of CVs to look at.
7. HIGHLIGHT KEY SKILLS-
– that are relevant to the job you are applying for
Put down anything that you are proud of. Then show it off. Highlight it as one of you major attributes that makes you stand out from the crowd. But make sure it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
8. PROMOTE YOURSELF
Be upbeat and proud of your qualifications, experience and attributes and don’t be afraid to highight your achievements where it matters. Be honest throughout and be positive.
9. KEEP YOUR CV SHORT
Keep it to 1 side of A4 if your are a fresher and keep it to 2 if you have work experience.
Keeping to this tight limit will help you focus on what is important to keep on the CV and what can be taken out without loss.
10. READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Carefully read the job description and find out about the company you are applying to. Tailor your CV according to the job description. Understand the terminology used. Also, only use the same terminology i you fully understand it and how to use it. When you have finished your CV go back and read the job description and ask yourself, “does my CV answer the job description?” Then alter your CV until your CV is a good answer to the job description.
Read the article on how to refine your resume so that it doesn’t get automatically rejected by the employers resume selection software. Most resumes get rejected before even being seen by the recruiting manager.