Getting a job often feels like a game where you don’t know the rules. Did you know that recruiters spend an average of 8 seconds looking at a CV before deciding to keep it or bin it. So, if you want to stand out, you need to stop writing for yourself and start writing for the person hiring.
- Keep your CV Simple and Results-Driven
A CV is not a list of everything you have ever done. It is a personal marketing tool.
- Use a clean, boring layout with a standard font like Arial or Calibri. Fancy designs and icons often confuse the software (ATS) that most companies use to scan candidate CVs.
- Put your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn link at the very top. In most cases, you do not even need o include your age, marital status, or a photo.
- Instead of listing your “duties,” list your achievements while on the job. For example;
- Bad: “Managed a team of five people.”
- Good: “Led a team of five to increase sales by 20% in six months.”
- Keep it to two pages maximum. If you can’t say it in two pages, you are talking too much.
- The LinkedIn Profile: Your Digital Billboard
Your LinkedIn profile stays “active” even when you are asleep so it needs to be searchable, credible and likeable.
- The Headline: Most people just put their job title. Instead, use keywords. For example, instead of “Sales Manager,” try “Sales Manager | Revenue Growth | Team Leadership | B2B Specialist.”
- The Photo: Use a clear, high-quality head-shot with a plain background. Profiles with photos get 21 times more views than those without.
- The “About” Section: Write in the first person (“I”). Tell a short story about what problems you solve and what you are great at.
- The Skills Section: Add at least 5 to 10 skills. Recruiters search for candidates using these specific words.
- The Secret is not how impressive you sound but the keywords you use
Recruiters type specific words into search bars to find talent. Look at the job descriptions for the roles you want. If they keep using words like “Project Management” or “Digital Marketing,” those exact words must be in your CV and on your LinkedIn profile.
Majority of recruiters are always busy and easily distracted. When they ask for your CV, they want to see how you can help them, not a history of your life. So, clean up your format, focus on your wins, and use the right keywords. If your CV and LinkedIn look like the job description you’re applying for, you’ll get the call. Now, go update yours.