6 ways to get your CV noticed
70Your CV is your passport to getting a job. It's your calling card. It's your brochure in a way. It sells your skills. It gives you a chance to show off those attributes you have that make you the perfect choice for your employer. Here is a short and simple list of 6 ways to get your CV noticed.
1. Tailor your CV / Resume to your Audience - make the effort to tailor your CV to suit the requirements of each particular job that you are applying. It will seriously increase and improve your chances of securing a job interview. A lot of people just spend time writing up and printing the one CV for all prospective employers. Big mistake. Tailor the CV to suit the job. Highlight your skills and experience in order of importance. Your most important skills go on top.
2. Outline your objectives - your personal statement (you do have a personal statement, don't you?) should highlight your professional attributes and goals, and emphasising why it is worth reading the rest of your CV. You should aim to to use no more than 50 words, making each sentence a key selling point. (Also see point 6.)
3. Use relevant job titles - rather than stating you were a "Tier 2 Promotions and Advertising Coordinator", replacing it with "Marketing Executive" so employers can instantly recognise your experience. Don't waffle or beat about the bush.
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4. Choose a clear layout - the last thing a recruiter wants to have is to hunt for the information that they are looking for. So don't hide that information amongst an array of elaborate graphics. Ask yourself, do you really need elaborate graphics - where simple graphics or a chart will do. Or not at all. Make it easy to read. Your interviewer isn't reading a Company Annual report on you.
5. Show everyone what makes you unique - employers don't just buy skills. What makes you stand out? Pick those qualities, and put them at the top. Show how you can make the company money (if neccessary) and show how you can reslove the problems that they have. They are the two core issues at the heart of every job. Make yourself stand out.
6. Don't lie on your CV - this is a major reason people don't get jobs. They think that by putting little or bigger white lies in their job history, lists of accomplishments, courses, training and experience - they will get away with it. You won't. And that goes for your referees also. Your Interviewers will check you out. They will check your qualifications, then referees, then work history, they will check everything. They are used to people lying to them, despite the pleasant smiles you may see. It's al part of their job to pick the best candidate. The best candidate might be the most honest candidate.
Honesty gets you everywhere in life, in relationships, and in job interviews. Looking over a CV is always a wake up call, it shows your strengths and might show some weak areas. Deal with them honestly. If you can't substantiate something there, just leave it out.
If your CV is as close to perfect as can be, then you will feel more confident and its strength will reflect back in you. Be that person. And get that job.
In finishing I would like to recommend a great Hub written by Linsday Godfree about how to choose a career as a student. You may find it insightful. Feel free to rate her hub up if you like it.
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I've always been told that my resume will get me the interview (with the job in question) and that the interview will get me the job. Great work on outlining some great points in presenting and writing a CV.
@ maheshpatwal: Thanks for the comments, my friend. Your mentioning of this is the main reason I wrote the hub. People do need those helping pointers. Plus I have friends who have been unlucky in being laid off or let go, recently - and are looking for work, so it's a constant theme amongst our table talk when we all dine together! Cheers!
@ dohn121: Hy dohn. It's always good to see your comments here. I'm glad you were "put right" about your resume. We call them CV over here, just to confuse the hell out of our American friends! Anyway, if you are ever job hunting -best of luck! If ordinary work doesn't pan out, then take up writing full time on the web, you are great at it. Just put those sexy pics in there and you're made! LOL!
HR does the preliminary screening of the comprehensive vitae (CV) or resume of an applicant. You are right Cheeky Girl. If the layout is not clear, it might not be noticeable and it might end up last in the list. You also made your point of not lying in their resume. This is really true. I hope job seekers would understand its importance.
Let's keep on writing articles that are informative and helpful to our readers. Keep up the good work!
Have a great weekend!
@ Tina V: Its great to get your comments here. I know you know a lot about this subject. Yes, people really ought to know better than to just go making stuff up and hoping interviewers or firms won't notice. Thanks for this, Tina. You have a good weekend too, my friend.
best advices Cheeky my girl, dont lie, a BIG no no, Thank you and enjoy weekend, Maita
@ prettydarkhorse: Yup, lies dont work in a cv. I kid you not. People can get the jobs but they got to be honest! Thanks for the comments, Maita! Have a good weekend! : )
Great advice I will bookmark and share!
@ Tammy Lochmann: Thanks for this, Tammy! Always a pleasure to see you here! Got another one to publish tonight. Take care! : )
Great hub! I good resume is very important and Point 5 is the best advice. Finding specific ways to show yourself to be the best person for the job will get you an interview. Thank you so much for the link to my article! (I have successed in getting many jobs in my life...if only I did not get bored with them....)
@ Lindsay Godfree: Thankyou for this help, Lindsay! You are a great Hub Writer! I am delighted you let me link up with your hub! I happily love my job too much right now to wanna get bored with it. Its very rewarding and fulfilling in many ways. I work with great people, plus my boss is decent. How rare is that?!
Thanks again! You take care, my friend. I will visit often. : )
I forwarded this (and the 10 mistakes to avoid) to a few friends I know going on the job market soon. This is just great stuff....and very comprehensive and well written! But what else can one expect from you? Well done...! love and hugs x
Hy MOW: Great to see you, my friend. You are amongst my fave Hubbers! Thanks for sharing it around. I posted another one last night with salary calculators for a few countries. USA, Canada, India, UK, Australia and a few others. Thanks for these comments. That means a lot to me! Ya making me blush now! LOL! *Love & Hugs you back* X
Ah! Nice!
Hy ultimatepotential: thanks for the comments!
You do know your stuff my friend. Great job
Helli Neil: aw, thank you for saying this. How is life, Neil? I hope you are well. Cheers!
You asked how I am - Earning a living is getting in the way of living. Was laid off end of April then broke my wrist so was in a cast most July and end of June so could not take in the beach.... made up for it this August though. Now I have to focus on earning again... How boring! LOL
Oh, I am sorry to hear you got laid off and broke the wrist. I had a wrist break once, it's not so bad after the reset. Okay, I lie, it hurt like the dickens for 3 days! LOL! Well, you should get rested and while everyone's off on holidays, take advantage and grab any vacancies there. The kids here are going back to school soon, and it will be busy again. The UK economy is picking up slightly. I hope it's doing the same there. Don't lose heart, Neil. Stay positive. Knock on doors if you have to. Ask friends, that would always work for me! Take care, Neil. Keep in touch, okay? x
Finding work is not hard - finding something I want to do for the rest of my life is a challenge. Loads of handy man jobs etc that don't pay worth a crap and sales jobs where earning is next to impossible as the product sucks. Trust me though - I am far from losing heart. I am more focused on making something worth while happen than I have been in a long time... that said I would love to have more time to chill. Of course we'll stay in touch my friend. YOU are Awesome.
Aaah, that is the Neil I know! Never say die! Well, finding something to do for the rest of your life, how about writing or something to do with writing? You are a fine writer, having "authored" several hubs articles already. If you wish, you could develop it more if you like...
Most people would try something they know about or have already done or are good at. Make a list of at least 5 of those things, and the answer will be staring right at you, I am sure. I know people who sell stuff online and amazon stuff, etc, it might be small potatoes, but I have started into it myself, and it does pay. My attitude is - put the computer and internet to use, make an income from it, get it to pay for itself. And pay a dividend.
Being able to work for yourself would give you time for yourself and the work, it's just a question of balance Neil. But I know you'll find something. And I wish you all the best luck doing it. You're a great guy, Neil!
Mwah!
Cassy. :)
Mwah! right back - and thanks for the kind inspiring words.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers, Neil! :)
As always, you've provided valuable information and tips! I agree with every single point you have made. Anyone who applies your advice will get noticed. Rated you up! Thanks Cheeky Girl!
Hello again, my friend! Well I hope it is of some use. They are tried and trusted tips I have learned from having briefly been in recruitment for a while. I am glad to help in any way. Thanks for the rating! Beth, you are a star! Cheers! :) Have a great day!
maheshpatwal 2 years ago
All the points mentioned above are very common sense points but most of the time we forget these small small points which could prove a nightmare for the interviewee.........
Hope i wont forget the last point...... nicely written hub................