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Getting the most from your CV is a vital part of job seeking, whether you have been recently made redundant, looking for a new opportunity or writing your first CV. Standing out from the crowd is vital and these tips will help you refine your skills and experience on your CV...

Here are our top tips to get the most from your CV:

Keywords

Recruiters and Hiring Managers are likely to use CV databases to find the ideal candidate. Using synonyms that are likely to be searched relevant to the role (for example Administrator, Executive, Manager) means you are more likely to appear in their search. This is a great way to get your Curriculum Vitae noticed when using job sites for your search.

If for example your CV only includes ‘Administrator’ and the recruiter is searching ‘Hiring Manager’ you are less likely to appear in their search, although your may have the relevant skills for the role. However if they were seeking an ‘Administrator’ you will rank higher, and more likely to get noticed! Making your CV keyword rich is a great way to get your noticed when using job sites and LinkedIn for your search.

Showcase achievements

What may be considered as the most obvious way to get the most from your CV is by showcasing successes and achievements. Keeping it simple and to the point, offer brief examples about how targets were exceeded, promotions and professional qualifications achieved. Remember to be honest.

Although you want to impress the recruiter, avoid overwhelming them with every accomplishment. Your CV an introductory, it is considered a first impression by a potential employer. Hold off coming across as showing off, this may not work in your favour, mention a couple of impressive achievements, portraying your capabilities, however keeping it brief and easy to read.

Tailor a CV to a specific job

When your job seeking and still in employment, the last thing you want to be doing is changing rewriting your CV for every job application. To show your suitability to the role, it is vital to ensure you have tailored your achievements according to the job description shown. A generic CV could be interpreted as lazy and present a lack of commitment.

Adjusting your CV for each role may seem time consuming, however the result of doing so speaks for itself. Small tweaks to your achievements and summary can make you standout with how well suited you are to the job description, this is particularly important when it comes down to the final selection process.

Keep it simple

Your CV should be easy to read and use active language. Avoid long sentences and paragraphs, recruiters are likely to skim-read. Therefore, it is essential they get the information they want within the few seconds they are interested. As mentioned previously, the use of keywords will help them find how relevant your experience is to the position, the sooner they can find this information and see that your a match, the better!

Two pages of A4 is considered enough for anyones CV. If you want to include a covering letter, treat this as a separate document. Ensure the main information you want to convey is clearly presented in both documents. Using bullet points within your CV will make skim-reading a lot easier. Best used when listing skills alongside a brief overview, making your key points standout.

Check spelling

This should be an unwritten rule when it comes to writing a CV. Avoid silly errors by checking spelling and grammar. By asking a friend or relative can help pick up mistakes you may have missed. Typos are not the make or break of your CV’s success. Some recruiters may give you the benefit of the doubt if they like the rest. However errors can appear as unprofessional therefore it is always best to check.

Do not forget to check the spelling of your keywords. If spelt incorrectly, you are less likely to appear in searches.

Now you have gone over your CV, submit it to us and let us help you find your new opportunity and provide any CV advice you need. 

admin@busybeerecruitment.co.uk
01353 880253