What employers want to see on your CV
Your CV is designed to do one thing and one thing only: to get you an interview. Yet recruiters will only spend between 20 to 30 seconds glancing at your CV which means that you need to make an impression quickly and sell yourself.
But with some employers receiving literally hundreds of unimaginative and uninspiring identikit applications for each advertised vacancy, how do you know what they are really looking for and how can you make your CV stand out from the crowd?
Acting as your own personal advertisement or shop window, your CV enables buyers (recruiters) to see what you have to offer - luckily most people actually get it wrong. So, if you get the key components of your CV right then you will have the advantage over your competition.
Personal Statement
This is your first opportunity to make an impression, get it wrong and your chances of being invited to interview are drastically reduced.
Employers need to have a reason to continue reading the rest of your CV because it is their job to attract and retain the best employees for their businesses. They want to know what you will do for them, how will you benefit their business and your motivations for joining them? But most CVs fall into the trap of being too self-orientated.
For instance, phrases such as “Results orientated professional seeking the opportunity to develop my career” or “Looking for a challenging opportunity…” should be avoided at all costs because they are focused on me, me, me".
Instead, your statement must make the same assumption that all good adverts do: “If you buy this product you will get these specific benefits”.
Employment History
Employers spend more time looking at this section than any other part of your CV. Consequently, this section needs to quickly convince a potential employer of your suitability to the advertised role and effectively market you for your current career objective.
This section needs to answer the following: Why should they hire you rather than another candidate? What do you offer that can provide added value to the company? What is unique about you and, how can you fulfil their needs?
Your most recent positions need the most attention because it is your skills and experiences gained in these roles that will determine your suitability for the role.
But whatever you do, do not bluff or tell white lies about your capabilities because they have the nasty habit of creeping up on you and you may get caught out which could cause some embarrassment at a later date. Indeed, a recent survey found that 50 per cent of all CVs in the UK contained at least one "falsehood‟, or lie.
More on Employment History here
Skills
After Employment History, this is arguably the most important part of your CV because it highlights your unique selling points as a prospective employee.
Make it easy for employers to spot your talents and be clear about what you are offering. Employers refer to this section to determine what they will get in return on their investment in you.
Therefore, you need to sell yourself and demonstrate your skills and achievements and show how you are going to be a positive addition to their workforce.
And, given the fact that 80 per cent of CV's are placed directly into keyword-searchable databases, be deliberate with your choice of skills.
If you are unclear about what skills the job requires because the job advert gives little information, then search the internet for similar job titles and note what those positions are looking for. Once you have done that, create a list of your matching competencies in terms of transferable, job-related and adaptive skills such as communication, technical or problem solving skills.
Always remember your audience
Employers will quickly scan a number of CV's and they do not want to be reading a list of skills or an employment history that reads like a dictionary.
Keep your list short and tailored to the position that you are applying for – a targeted list will be more effective than one that‟s overlong. And remember, your CV is designed to market YOU to a potential employer. So, make it clear, uncluttered, appealing and address the three key questions that employers want answered: What can you do for me? What have you done before? Can you do it for me again?
Copyright © 2008 Paul MacKenzie-Cummins
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