CV - You in a Snapshot!

We all know that we need a good, well written CV when applying for new jobs.  But what exactly is a ‘good’ CV? This can mean different things to different people and is very much open to interpretation. To some this might mean having every little bit of information about their past and present (and maybe even future dreams!) on the CV…a bit like a life story on a page. To others, it might be just having the essentials, the minimum to understand what their job title is. But what really makes a good CV?

As an experienced recruiter, I can tell you that sometimes a decision will be made on your application within seconds. A recruiter can sometimes tell at a glance whether they think you are right for the job. And I guess this isn’t something to be proud of, because what can we really tell at a glance? It’s hard to realise in that glance that there is a person behind that screen – a person trying to give an outline of their skills to prove they are the best person for the job. However, when there are upwards of 100 applications, the CVs have to be dwindled quickly to move to the next phase of the process.

So, this is what we need…to be the right person for the job in a snapshot. You need to showcase your abilities so that it is obvious that business needs your skills. The first thing I would say is keep it to the point. The vast majority of the time if a CV goes on for pages and pages, it won’t be read properly, meaning those skills won’t be read and unfortunately that application could be rejected. Keep the CV succinct – long enough to explain what you need to, but short enough that there is no unnecessary detail providing more ‘bulk’.

The next important thing is the layout. I would always recommend having a short introduction or profile to explain a bit about you, followed by education which leads onto your experience. In the experience section, always have your current or most recent position on top. A recruiter hates to scroll to the bottom of your CV to see your most recent experience. So make it easy to read in a simple format.

Make sure your dates are correct, and again, simple to understand. It can also be useful to include an explanation of any gaps in your CV. For example if you took time off between jobs to travel, say that! No one is more sceptical than a recruiter reviewing CVs! Be up front and honest in your CV… it saves any explaining in a phone call.

Another important element is the profile. You want this to tell a bit about you and your ambitions. You want this to speak volumes! This is your chance of free text which tells the business they absolutely need to hire you! Make it count!

Above all, be yourself. A CV can be difficult to write. But put yourself in the shoes of someone reading it. Make is succinct, easy to read and understand, and sell your self and hopefully you will get that call to move to the interview stage!

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