How to write an effective CV!
In this challenging economic landscape, conveying your market value effectively and accurately to prospective employers has never been more important. This will not only increase the likelihood of your receiving interest from job holders, it will enable hiring managers and recruitment consultants to quickly identify suitable matches for your individual needs within an ever-increasing talent pool.
Below are some essential tips according to data provided by the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation):
1.) Skills
Employers will look for evidence that a candidate has measured their performance using the relevant skill. Consider the role you are applying for and whether you have described the skills the client is actually looking for according to the role description?
2.) Achievements
Candidates who list their achievements, rather than purely their day-to-day responsibilities in a role are likely to outshine the competition. How did you add value in your previous companies? Did you help your department to increase in profitability or perhaps you streamlined an internal policy or process?
3.) Transferable Skills
Perhaps you are interested in a exploring a new role or sector and possess skills generated in your recent work which could add value. Make sure that these points are presented clearly and concisely.
4.) Awards and Recognition
Awards and commendations are rarely given to underperforming individuals. Used in context, these can make your CV more appealing and convince the hirer of your drive to achieve results.
5.) Promotion
Steady promotion within one or several roles is a strong indicator of an individual’s ability to sustain enhanced job responsibilities.
6.) Unsubstantiated adjectives and ‘buzz words’
Please avoid at all costs! Countless candidates will write in a CV that they are a ‘good team player’ or a ‘creative thinker’. Without supporting evidence, these words are meaningless and have the reverse of the desired effect on the reader. Phrases such as ‘I increased client satisfaction and brand reputation by decreasing lost or inaccurate orders by 40%’ are preferable to ‘I excel in client satisfaction’.
7.) Employment dates
This is one area in which a poorly written CV may lose an applicant potential interviews. It is critical to ensure that you are presenting dates of employment clearly and accurately, and try to avoid confusion, in the event that you held more than one position during a certain period of time.