The Final 13 Tips For Writing A Job-grabbing CV!

This is the fifth and final week on CVs. If you have read every article in this 5-part series you should not only be able to write a PhD on the subject you should be getting many more interviews. Here go my final 13 tips:

33.   Look decisive, don’t tarnish your loyalty card

Employers want to hire someone that will stay for a while. If your CV shows that you chop and change jobs very regularly, this will act against you. It will show one or more of the following:

You’re not loyal

You’re indecisive

You’re a risky hire

Overall, the CV needs to be consistent.

34.   Throw in some stats

Numbers help to further credentialize you.

If you’re applying for a sales position add examples of sales targets you have reached or exceeded.

Example:

Emerging Market FX Sales, Bank X

·       Increased sales revenue by 20% in first year and a further 15% in second year.

·       Was one of the top three sales people every single year for 5 years

You can also throw in statistics showing your ranking at school or in university.

35.   Don’t include reasons for why you left your old job

It’s not necessary on a CV as it doesn’t add value to why you might be a good candidate for the job. Of course, it is likely to come up in interviews so make sure you have a good response to the question.

36.   Don’t say anything negative

There is no space on a CV for complaints or criticisms of previous employers. If you didn’t like a certain job or activity that you took part in, don’t say that. Recruiters don’t like complainers or problem-makers.

37.   Don’t lie, don’t exaggerate

Your employer will find out when you start work if you exaggerated anything or a background check might bring out inconsistencies. You could lose your job, or end up in court if particularly egregious. It’s not worth it, don’t do it.

38.   Have different CVs for different roles

If you are applying for exactly the same type of job in different companies then the same CV will suffice. However, if you are making applications based on different job specs then you need to customise your CV.

39.   Before you send it off, match your CV against the job specification

Ensure that your CV includes as much as possible regarding what the employer has asked for. That said, a major point to keep in mind: you don’t need to have 100% of what has been requested.

Statistics show that men frequently apply for a job even when they only partly match the  specification. Women usually only make the application when they have everything. I say, be a man!

40.   Check it twice then get a fresh pair of eyes to look over it again

This is related to the point on typos. When you have been working on your CV for a long time you might fail to see inconsistencies that a fresh pair of eyes will pick up immediately. Get a professional resume writer to review your resume and increase your chances of getting a job interview.

41.   Key words matter

Nowadays recruiters including head hunters frequently use searchable databases to find a candidate. This is also true on LinkedIn. When I am looking for someone I will type “Head of Diversity Recruiting at Company X” or “Marketing Expert, New York” etc.

Make sure your CV uses the correct keywords for the job you are looking for, so you are visible on these searches.

42.   Mention any prominent industry specialists that you’ve worked with

This will help to credentialize you. Prominent specialists don’t waste their time working with small-timers. Having had access to and worked with people of this calibre adds credibility to your profile.

43.   No need for references

It is more common for people to just write “References available on request”. Some people think this is daft because that’s stating the obvious. However, I would say include this line if there’s space. It doesn’t do you any harm.

44.   Update your CV and your LinkedIn profile regularly

Ensure you have an updated CV and profile on LinkedIn so you’re ready to take advantage of your next opportunity.

We live in a fast paced world; your next job offer is always around the corner. Head hunters are constantly scanning people’s profiles on LinkedIn to fill new positions. Gone are the days when people sat in the same job for 30 to 40 years at a time.

45.   Finally, consider getting professional help.

To guarantee a high-quality CV get a professional CV writer to help you do it.

Over the last five weeks I've taken you through a very extensive course in CV writing. If getting a new job is on the cards for this new year: you are very well set!

“Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.” Oscar Wilde 

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