When you are looking for a job, one of the most important tools that you have at your disposal is your CV. This document provides a way for you to showcase your talents to potential employers, demonstrating why you would be a great choice for the role they are trying to fill. One can take the help of resume building services to leave no stone further to create a resume that stands out from the crowd.
A well-written CV should not only highlight your knowledge and skills but should also clearly show why you are the right choice for the job. When done correctly, recruiters will jump at the chance to snap you up since they don't want to miss out on an opportunity to hire you. When recruiters go through CVs, they usually glance at each one for approximately 8 seconds before moving onto the next. That is why it is essential to make the most relevant information stand out.
If you want to create an eye-catching CV that helps you land your dream job, put these five tips into action:
1. Fine-Tune Your CV For Each Position
Don't submit an identical CV for every job. Instead, custom tailor each CV to the position you are applying for. Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job so that recruiters can see at a glance why you are such a great fit. By moving the most relevant skills to the top of the list, you will make it easier for recruiters to see why you are the right candidate for the job.
2. Don't Get Too Wordy
The length of your CV should be shorter than two pages. Remember – recruiters are viewing a huge stack of CVs. That means they don't have a lot of time to go through each one. Avoid the temptation to detail everything you have done from the time you started school. Instead, focus on the most relevant skills, training, or previous work you have done.
Another way to shorten the text is by using bullet points rather than writing paragraphs. Formatting your document this way also makes it easier to read. While it is important to show that you have the skills necessary for the position, you don't have to go into too much detail on your CV. You will have a chance to expand further on most topics during your interview.
3. Address Any Breaks In Your Work History
If you have any gaps in your work history, explain why they occurred. For instance, if you took time off to have a child or to reevaluate the direction you wanted to go with your career, let employers and recruiters know so that they don't have to guess what you are doing. If there wasn't a good reason for the break, you should still try to present it in the best light possible, explaining that it gave you time to recommit to your career.
While you were away from work, mention any training or skills that you developed. For instance, if you did a lot of volunteer work during that time, some of the skills that you gained could apply to your new role.
4. Proofread Your CV
Even though it sounds obvious, many people submit CVs that are filled with spelling or grammar errors. Nothing makes you seem unprofessional more quickly than a misspelled word or an awkward phrase. You don't have to be an English major to write a good CV. However, you do need to double-check it to make sure that there aren't any glaring errors. Don't just rely on your spellchecker. Instead, ask someone that you trust to read through it, as well, to see if they can spot any errors that you missed.
5. Be Honest
Avoid the temptation to lie about your skills. The truth always comes out, which means that you could wind up getting in trouble at a later date. Any lies that you include in your CV could be discovered when you are interviewing, which could keep you from getting the job. Imagine how much more devastating it would be to have them discovered after you were already hired.
Typically, employers follow up on your work history, checking with your past employers and verifying that you have the qualifications that you listed. More than that, however, they may also look into any outside interests or hobbies that you have included, says Steven from Exceptional Resume writers. Imagine that you say you love golf, even though you have never played. What happens when the person interviewing you asks for recommendations on which clubs to purchase? Lies always have a way of coming back to bite you, which is why honesty is so important.
