Posted by Show What Makes You Unique
Use a confident tone and positive language, because for every job you apply for there may be hundreds of other candidates, so you need to make sure you stand out. Employers don’t just buy skills, they buy solutions, illustrate how you can be an asset to the new company.
Understand the Job Description
The clues are in the job application, so read the details from start to finish. Take notes and, highlight everything you can satisfy as well the bits you can’t. In the areas where there’s a shortfall, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have.
Use a Clear Layout
Employers spend around 20 to 30 seconds scanning a CV; it’s unlikely they’ll read each one cover to cover, so it needs to remain clutter-free and easy to read, try keeping to a maximum of two pages of A4 paper.
A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented, and printed on clean, crisp white paper, and should never be crumpled or folded, so use an A4 envelope for your postal applications.
Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the reader’s eye will naturally fall, this is where your most important information belongs.
Tailor Your CV to The Position
It may sound like a chore, but making the effort to suit the requirements of each particular job that you are applying for can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview.
When you’ve established what the job entails, ensure you use the relevant keywords, and show how you can match each requirement, you don’t have to re-write the whole thing, just adapt the details so they’re applicable.
Skills
Under the skills section of your CV don’t forget to mention key skills that can help you to stand out from the crowd. Skills can come out of the most unlikely places, so really think about what you’ve done to nurture your own, even the most obscure skill could make a difference and highlight your application, abilities that could raise you above the competition may well include language and IT skills.
Interests
Include anything that shows how diverse, intriguing and adept you are. Don’t include watching TV, and solitary hobbies that can be sensed as lack of people skills. Make yourself sound really interesting.
Experience
Use assertive and positive language, and quote figures here if you can, to hit home the experience gained and skills you have learned prominent to the role you’re applying for. Really get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have garnered from past work positions, even if it was something you did to help pay the bills through university, every little helps.
Keep It Error Free
It’s incredibly easy to make mistakes on your CV and almost impossible to repair the damage once an employer sees it. As well as checking your spelling and grammar, make sure your employment dates match as well as education and qualifications. Check you’ve provided the correct phone number and email address. Spotting errors is a quick and easy way of weeding out weaker candidates when faced with a mountain of CVs.
References
References should be from previous employers, who can vouch for your skills and experience. If you’ve never worked before you’re OK to use a teachers or tutors as referees. Try to include two if you can.
Keep Your CV Up to Date
It’s crucial to review your CV on a regular basis and add any new skills or experience that’s missing. For example, if you’ve worked on a new project, make sure it’s in there.
When you’ve put together a sparkling CV it’s often difficult remembering assignments you have been involved with and your list of achievements. Revisit your CV every month adding anything of importance and cut any information that is no longer required.
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