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Writing a winning CV
Preparation is key. Many job seekers make the serious mistake of assuming that people read their CV’s in depth, and actively search for information that helps them to say “yes.”
Alternatively they keep their CV too brief and assume they’ll be able to fill in the detail when they get to the interview.
Just like Goldilocks porridge job applications can be sorted into three piles: Too Hot (over qualified or overselling self without backing up experience); Too Cold (under qualified or understating their skills and experience; and Just Right (a good fit).
Research shows that employers/recruiters spend only 10 seconds making their initial judgement call. 10 seconds! If you want to make the cut then tailoring your CV is a must. Employers like to hire known quantities - this means making sure your CV fits the requirements sought. Some of the key things you need to know are:
- What are the skills they are looking for
- What are the personal skills and attributes they require
- What is the purpose of the organisation and the position
It’s a bit like writing an essay – you can write whatever you like but unless you answer the question and provide supporting facts, you’ll get no marks for trying. The trick is knowing what the occasion is and what information to include and exclude.
It’s very important to know your audience. Don’t just rely on the job advertisement. Make sure you do some further research including getting a job description, looking up the company’s web site, picking up promotional material, and talking to people who already work there to find more signs of what's important to them and what they will respond to. Find out as much as you can about what they are looking for then tailor your CV accordingly. This way you are more likely to get past the bouncer!
Remember, a typical employer will spend about 10 seconds reviewing your CV. 10 seconds! That's right. The goal of your CV is to capture the attention and interest of the employer within 10 seconds. Unfortunately, it will take more than 15 seconds for you to create a CV that can accomplish this goal. Developing a CV of high quality takes time, effort, and a little know-how.
Purposes of a CV
- Your CV is a personal marketing tool. It is an essential part of the job-search campaign because it is an important tool used in securing an interview. As such, your CV must attract attention, create interest, and provoke action: an interview.
- People who receive CVs often use them for screening you ‘out’ rather than ‘in’. This is particularly so in for highly competitive jobs where many applicants may be applying.
- Think of your CV as a promotional brochure about you. You need to show a potential employer what you have accomplished and where your experience lies. Your strategy should be to emphasise the experience and skills that a particular employer is looking for
- A CV is a written summary of your education, work experience, professional skills and interests. Your CV documents your value as a potential employee.
- A CV is a sample of your ability to organise and express yourself in writing, clearly, concisely, and neatly.
Your CV can be an important step in interview preparation because it focuses your attention on your strengths and accomplishments. During an interview your CV can serve as a point of reference. Many interviewers will base their questions on the content of your CV, so in a sense you can help guide the course of your interviews by preparing a CV of high quality.
Before you begin prepare....
Know Yourself:
CV preparation begins with self-analysis. As with all phases of the job search, you need to understand your career goals, strengths, skills, and abilities and be able to communicate their value to potential employers. You will also want to evaluate your professional interests and likes and dislikes of past work environments. In addition, inventory your past experience paid or voluntary. Which experiences are relevant to your current job search and what competencies did you develop or strengthen as a result of those experiences?
Know Your Audience:
You should target your CV to your audience. What level or types of positions are you seeking? What skills and experience are necessary for these work environments? Does your experience match the requirements? If so, you will be able to organise your CV to "fit" each job you seek.
Sometimes job descriptions and advertisements are written by people who do not accurately understand the role or the organisations core requirements. Your ability to gather information may ensure you have an accurate understanding of the role. This may give you the edge needed to anticipate ways in which your skills, experience and attitude can help meet the organisation’s future needs.
CV writing tips
Once you have done your preparation it is much easier to write your CV. There is a wealth of information, and CV templates that are downloadable on job search web-sites such as:
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