Your CV is a Sales Document so it’s important you approach it with that mindset. You want to sell your skills, experience etc so don’t be afraid to let employers know what they are getting. So here are some tips you can use when writing an irresistible CV.
1. PERSONALITY
When writing your personal profile you want your personality to come through where possible because everyone writes standard things like hard worker, team player or result orientated but nothing unique about their personality at all. Personal profile is the first place an employer would glance through, so why not add things that make you unique e.g. A Project Manager with love for roller skating (Make sure it’s something intriguing cos am sure we all something different about us)
2. ACHIEVEMENTS
It’s important to mention your achievements even if they are from voluntary work. Every employer wants to know what you have achieved as a graduate in school or through work history e.g. Successfully rolled out training across all departments on new systems for the organisation globally which reduced the amount service desk calls.
3. SPELLING MISTAKES
It’s important not be lazy about spelling mistakes because over 50% of recruiters highlight poor spelling and grammar as their number one reason to lose faith in an application. In fact, when it comes to making a tough decision over similarly qualified applicants, this could end up being the direct reason for missing out on a role. Poor spelling makes you look unprofessional and unprepared – two qualities not generally desired by hiring managers. Grammarly (www.grammarly.com) is free tool you can use to check the spelling on your CV
4. REFERENCES
You should not add references that are not true on your CV because this could cost you the role or better still don’t add a reference section on your CV at all because requesting for a reference is part of the recruitment process anyways. It’s better you arrange to provide references when requested and always inform your referee so it doesn’t come as a surprise or they’ll mess up your application
5. DON’T OVERSELL YOURSELF
You shouldn’t add things you have no clue about on your CV especially things that sound cool from a theoretical point of view from a textbook because employers know it can’t be applied in the real world. Also if it’s something you can’t defend then don’t add it because some hiring managers look to catch out candidates who seem to have a lot of irrelevant stuff on their CV.
6. LAYOUT
It should be a simple layout that directs the reader to the key parts of your CV. It’s stated that an employer takes 6-10 seconds to make a decision whether they bin or read more about the candidate. Stay away from fancy designs of CV’s unless your are applying for graphic design role then you can get creative because it would only cause the reader to miss out on the important parts.
7. THIRD PERSON PROFILE
This is one that many don’t do because it seems weird referring to yourself as a third person on your CV. See examples below
Example 1 – ‘I am a problem solver with the ability to analyse complex situations’. Now put yourself in the employer’s shoes when reading it and see if this doesn’t sound like He/She is reading about themselves.
Example 2 – ‘Brian is a problem solver with the ability to analyse complex situations’. Now as the employer/recruiter reading this, does it not sound like you are reading about the individual ‘Brian’?
It’s important to make a psychological imprint whichever way possible so that the employer/recruiter is not able to resist inviting you for an interview.
If you need further help with writing your CV, please book a free 45 minutes consultation session NOW so we can assist you.