Job hunting can be tough. Job ads are met with hundreds of responses for recruiters and employers to sift through, so it’s important to send a CV that hits the right notes.
Make it easy for the reader to add you to the shortlist- take the time to write a short cover letter, tailored to the job. Make sure your CV is accurate and truthful (explaining any large gaps) and always proofread it thoroughly before hitting send.
Once you’ve ticked those boxes, here are five quick and easy updates you can action today to improve the overall readability and effectiveness of your CV.
1. Make it Easy to Digest
CVs are about conveying accurate information, quickly and effectively:
Stick to short, simple sentences
Utilise bullet points wherever possible
Create structure with titled sections
Leave as much white space as possible
Overcrowded CVs are tough to read and often result in an immediate refusal, even if your experience is perfect for the role.
Recruiters and employers just don’t have the time to read reams of pithy content. Keep it short and sweet.
2. Make Sure You Include Vital Sections
CVs follow a common structure for a reason- it works. You can stand out in many ways, but leaving out the vital information or going for subtlety with your sections could cost you.
Make sure to include:
Personal details: Full name, email, phone number and location (if it’s an in-office role)
Personal Profile: Summarise your skills and experience in a handful of lines (avoid personal interest etc here- there’s room for that later)
Skills: A bullet pointed list of your key, relevant skills (hard skills only if room is an issue, soft skills can be included if there’s space)
Work Experience: List relevant roles only and bullet point relevant skills and achievements below
Education: List from highest level of certification to lowest
These are the must-haves, but if space allows without overcrowding, recruiters also like to see any additional roles such as volunteering positions, a little about your personality, hobbies and interests, and any special info such as languages spoken, outstanding extracurricular achievements etc.
3. Stick to Chronological Order
This is true across the board- from your educational achievements to your main body of work experience. Always list from most recent, backwards. Potential employers will always want to know about your most recent achievements and experience first.
On this note, always make the dates clear. For your work experience, include at least the month and year for both the start and end date of each role.
Don’t be tempted to extend any placements to hide gaps in your CV- this may come back to bite you when references come into play.
4. Be Job-Specific
This isn’t as time-consuming as you may think. Your work history can remain largely the same, along with any other basic information. But your personal profile is easy to tweak to suit each role.
Use key words from the job description and highlight how your experiences translate into relevant skills for the role. Highlight any key achievements that prove your eligibility for the position.
5. Include Numerical Data
Wherever specific stats and figures can be included, do. If you increased turnover by X%, say so. If you increased website traffic by 100 unique visitors a month, say so. This cuts through any ambiguity and stop you using vague statements that allude to achievements.
This can be tough for those those who don’t like blowing their own horn. But it’s vital that your CV does exactly that.
Make sure the reader knows exactly what you’re capable of. Confidence will follow.