Tips for a More Powerful CV
CVs are the primary device by which recruiters eliminate applicants for a given job opportunity. Most applicants are extremely supportive of this cause and provide plenty of reasons for an early dismissal.
If you want to succeed you must get inside the mindset of the recruiter and you must remember that the sole objective of your CV is to win you an interview. It’s the vital first step to any new job – or promotion.
Show you are relevant to the job opportunity
- Have several CVs with different profiles or objectives which present you in the best light for different types of role
- Read the advertised prerequisites for the job and ensure you demonstrate that you are offering the right skills, experience and personal qualities
- List the most relevant information first – with employment history in reverse chronological order
- Check that your past Job Titles (and functions) are consistent with the role you are currently pursuing
- Unless you're a new graduate put qualifications at the end
- Remove detailed reference to jobs or qualifications older than 15 years
Explain why you are special
- Put your energy into demonstrating what value you have contributed to your current or former organisations
- Avoid lists of responsibilities. Use “action” words such as “organised”, “delivered”, “created”. Quantify wherever reasonably possible
- Avoid lists of qualifications. Explain how you have applied knowledge learned to achieve successful business outcomes
- Avoid generalisations such as “hardworking” or “versatile” which probably apply (or will be claimed by) most management professionals
Demonstrate you are efficient and focused
- Ensure your CV provides all the necessary information – but nothing more
- Start with your name, address and contact details
- Lay the document out neatly, using tables and bullet points rather than prose
- Avoid coloured text, unusual type faces or pictures which will almost always distract from your primary messages
- Keep anything under “Interests & Activities” concise and relevant
- NO spelling mistakes
Make life easy for the recruiter
- Essential information easy to find; white space on the page; a font size of at least 11
- No acronyms or jargon (the reader may not recognise these)
- Start with a summary profile but no waffle
- Make sure your key information is on the first page
- Keep it concise. Two pages ideally – though possibly 3 or maximum 4 if you have a long (and relevant) job or academic history
- Avoid gaps or inconsistencies which create doubt and uncertainty (eg be explicit if you have taken a career break for three years)
There is plenty more information available on the internet to help you enhance your CV. These are just a few sites which you may find useful:
>> Project Management Qualifications and Training
>> IT Qualifications and Training
>> Perfect CV – Buy the Classic Guide for under £10
>> CV Basics
Article Prepared by Rex Gibson
www.focus-on-training.co.uk
Rex is business development director with Focus on Training. Focus specialises in business critical training and qualifications such as PRINCE2 and ITIL which underpin successful companies and successful careers.
