Date posted: 09/06/2017
2 min read
In brief
-
Your CV needs to elevate you above other job applicants.
-
Present your future employer with a CV that focuses on your accomplishments.
-
Five ways to fix your CV and maximise your chances of securing an interview.
Have you ever applied for a job that you know you
are perfect for, only to never get the call back for an interview?
It could be that your CV is lacking the polish it
needs to elevate you above the pack and secure an interview.
You may well be qualified, experienced and a
perfect fit for a role, but if your CV doesn’t demonstrate that in a clear,
easy to digest format you may be left waiting for a phone call that never
comes.
Related: How to land your dream job
Landing your first big job is never easy, but these eight tips will help you step into your dream job with confidence.
READ NOW.
Here are five simple yet often overlooked tips to fix
your CV and maximise your chances of securing that interview.
Five tips to fix your CV
-
1. Provide up-to-date contact details
It’s important to make contacting you as easy as
possible. Ensure you provide your full name, current address, landline and mobile
phone numbers, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. These details
need to be easy to locate on your CV and cover letter, so don’t bury them on
the final page.
-
2. Mind your language
Check your CV carefully for typos, grammar and
spelling. Avoid clichés, metaphors and jargon. Don’t list responsibilities and
duties in bullet point form. Instead, construct a proper sentence that
articulates how you were responsible and how you performed your duties. Include
your key achievements in each of your previous roles.
-
3. Avoid the "one size fits all" approach
Your CV should target the specific criteria listed
for the position you are applying for. Avoid sending out the same CV with all
of your applications. Pay close attention to the key skills and requirements in
the job ad and make sure you address those in your application. Wherever
possible, include specific examples that demonstrate why you are the right
person for the job.
-
4. Be authentic
When presenting yourself in your CV, do not be
misleading. Don’t include experience that’s more than ten years old unless it
is relevant to the role you are applying for. Be honest and transparent about goals
you have accomplished that demonstrate your professional experience.
-
5. Education and experience
If you are a recent graduate with little
professional experience, place your education at the top of your CV as you
would usually do with past employment details. You may be new to the workforce
and your chosen profession, but you may still have accomplishments such as
volunteer work or internships that you can highlight.
