Having received CV’s for a wide scope of roles over my 30 years of experience, what I have learnt is that CV’s must be tailored to the role mirroring key skills which align to each role requirement. With the myriad of CV advice and examples of CV template online, this information may seem logical, but you would be surprised how many candidates get this wrong.
Here are a few key must haves in your CV:
• Ensure your information is up to date
• Document correct contact details
• Make sure you align to the role you are applying for
• Keep your CV specific and clear.
All the cv writing tips can be summarised by saying that it is important to keep it brief but concise, with strong information in the form of facts and figures that makes the reader want to find out more. When a recruiter receives a high number of CV’s at one moment in time, the ones that align to the requirements of the job and are specific are the ones which stand out and cause an interest.
Further suggestions include ensuring:
• The information draws a picture of the diet of projects you have been involved in in the past. Include size and scope, facts and figures.
• Clarify what you believe you can bring to the role.
However, there is a caveat. It is important to be aware that each recruiting manager will have their own preferences and idea of what a good CV looks like. As an experienced recruiter, what you are trying to do is create an interest and scope a CV that would want me to find out more about the content of your CV. Usually, this approach leads to an introductory meeting to find out more information – this can be the biggest hurdle. Once you have the interview, this is your first tick box. From there lies a different skill set where you learn more about the role to establish whether this is a fit for you. It also aligns to your recruiter identifying whether you are the best candidate for the role.
If you would like help with your CV writing and interview support, please do not hesitate to contact us.