Writing a CV that stands out from the flood of others that will inevitably be vying for attention can be difficult. However, there are some useful tips that can catapult your CV past the screening stage. Since the screening stage involves all application materials, it is important that your CV be stellar.
CONSIDER CALLING THE COMPANY FIRST
Before you send out your CV, it might be a good idea to call the company and ask for the name(s) of the personnel who are actually doing the hiring. If you can, contact them directly and chat with them first, then send your CV directly to the person with whom you chatted.
A GOOD CV IS DETAILED BUT NOT LONG-WINDED
Here is the bottom line: since a CV is generally more informative than a resume it should me written succinctly and every word should bear its weight in gold. Make your CV concise, use bullet points where necessary to make certain attributes stand out, and by all means don’t be verbose.
CREATE AN ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE
A well-written CV must include more components than a regular resume, i.e. awards, presentations, etc., however your CV should be reader-friendly. Recruiters are busy and often overworked. Your CV should be formatted in a way that makes it possible for a recruiter to scan it quickly.
USE A TEMPLATE
There are many websites that showcase and provide wonderful CV templates. Do your research and you are more than likely to come across a template that matches your style.
INTEGRATE YOUR OBJECTIVE WITH A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Stating your objective lets the potential employer know exactly what you are looking to achieve. A profile lets the employer know who you are. This does not mean that you are to explicate every personal experience you have ever had. A profile should not be used as a summation of your actual CV either, rather, it introduces you to the employer. Think of it as a mini cover letter.
USE KEYWORDS
Since many CVs are sent via the internet, your CV should reflect what the internet search engines look for: tag words and keywords that are customized to the job you are trying to obtain. The keywords should be active words, such as: organized, established, supervised, led, created, presented, etc.
PROVIDE LINKS TO YOUR WORK AND TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA
This part is very important, indeed. Most job applications, including CVs and resumes are now uploaded, pasted in, or written on the employer’s website. Providing links to work you may have done, whether it be a Powerpoint presentation, or published articles, makes the employer’s job much easier and gives her something to reference should you be pushed forward to the interview stage. Likewise, links to your social media sites allows the employer to examine and explore how you fit in with people. Social media offers a glimpse at your interpersonal skills.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
If nothing else, creating a CV is good practice for the interview process as well as the job hunting stages. Remember that you are honing and shaping your future. A detailed, concise CV helps you, as much as it does an employer, spot weaknesses and record strengths.
The conclusion to all of these tips is really pretty simple: do your homework. Research the internet for templates, ideas, and advice on creating the best CV and you will reap the benefits.
This article is written by Marcus Knobbs, an expert in South African jobsearch and recruitment industry. You may want to visit Joblist South Africa for Jobs in South Africa
