You are about to start your job search and you know what will follow, you need to write a CV or have your CV updated.
The idea of writing a good CV could make you go out and buy a lottery ticket and hope for the best, but it’s really not that hard! Here are some CV writing tips that can help you place your RESUME at the top of the pile.
Tip No. 1. Create your CV with your employer in mind
When you start the CV writing process, remember that your future employer looks at a resume differently from you. They scan your RESUME to see if you have the skills and/or experience that will help them not only fill a position, but improve their business.
So when you write your CV, make sure your skills and experience are what the reader comes out of right from the start. How? Switch to Tip No. 2!
Tip No. 2. Consider a summary
When you start your CV, consider replacing the old standard CV lens with a recent and powerful resume of qualifications. What for? Because CV goals can often be annoying while using valuable real estate on your resume! A qualifications summary provides your potential employer with a three-line summary of what you bring to the table regarding your skills and experience (remember Advice No. 1). Take a look at the example below of a standard CV lens from one of our clients and the qualifications summary that was used for the same person and decide for yourself what creates a stronger impression.
CV Objective: Get a position in sales where I can use my work experience and work within a company.
Summary of Qualifications: More than 12 years of experience in sales, marketing and advertising. Competent in the creation and presentation of sales presentations, the facilitation of trade shows and the increase of new clientele. Mastery of MS Office software as well as database programs.
Tip No. 3. Bring action to your key points: whatever CV format you choose, you’ll want to make sure your skills and experience create the impression that you’re an action person. To do this, you’ll want to make sure that every chip on your resume that describes your skills or experience starts with a CV action word that matches your sentence. Examples include words such as (developed, managed, facilitated, organized…) Don’t miss the opportunity to make these chips work for you on your resume.
Tip No. 4. Get the scoop from the inside on your competition: Take a few minutes and search for the company you’re applying for by reviewing the job description and going online to see their company’s website. What for? Because each company uses its own style of language as part of its corporate culture. So if the company you’re targeting tends to repeat some buzzwords in its job description or on its website, be sure to focus your skills and experience on those buzzwords. For example, if you see that a company’s job description repeats the phrase “customer service” several times, make sure your skills and experience include customer service!
Tip No. 5. White space is a good space: The empty spacing between your paragraphs and the headers of your CV is also called white space. This space is very important for your CV as it creates a “flow” or legibility for your CV reader. If there is too much information piled up in your CV, it will seem busy and difficult to read. Keep decent margins around your resume and make sure your spacing is equal for all your paragraphs and chips so that your CV goes smoothly.
Remember that you never get a second chance to make that first impression!
Use these CV writing tips and you’ll write a good resume that will create a powerful and lasting impression.
The best of success in your job search!
