January 4, 2018

Making the most of your CV

There’s no ‘one best way’ to write your CV, but with our expertise and experience we’ve found that to get the most mileage out of your CV, you’ll want to emphasise certain aspects of your background. It should be an indicator of your best achievements whilst remaining short and to the point; leaving something to be discussed during the actual interview.

We’ve identified 6 key points below which will build a stronger case for your candidacy and get the employer excited about wanting to call you for an interview:

Professional achievements. For example, if you’re in business development, the first thing a hiring manager will want to know is your business development achievements and how you have developed new opportunities for your current employer. If you’ve won awards, reached goals or made your firm money, let the employer know.

Educational accomplishments. List your degree(s) with the grade you achieved if it is a 1st or 2.1 classification, relevant course work, thesis or dissertation, specialised training or professional qualifications such as CIM which are favoured by most firms. Be sure to mention any special honours, scholarships, or awards you may have received.

Specific examples of success. You should definitely include anything in your past that might distinguish you as a leader or achiever for example: increasing pitch win rates or bringing in revenue; saving money by reducing costs, negotiating with suppliers (PR, design agencies or venues and catering suppliers for events); saving time by effectively implementing a new CRM system which provided a more targeted approach leading to new clients and increased revenue.

Additional skills. These might include computer software experience especially where relevant to the firm that you are applying to, for example CRM systems (Interaction, Apex, Hubbard One), specialised training or language skills.

Personal achievements. In a competitive market, employers are always on the lookout for traits that distinguish one candidate from another. Presenting a range of achievements – professional, educational and personal – will help your CV stand out from the crowd, so think carefully about the information that you could include and what might interest a potential employer.

Structure and Simplicity. The structure of a CV is essential. It can be a chronological CV or one that is based on your skill sets, but pick one and stick to it. The ‘layout’ is also important, font and layout must be easy to read and pleasing to the eye and always always always check your CV for spelling and grammar. Careless spelling errors will make you come across as sloppy and careless which isn’t the impression you want to give. Your CV can make or break your chance of being invited to interview; as well as providing a factual representation of your background, your CV serves as an advertisement. Think about it, the more effective your 30 second advert, the more an employer will want to buy the expertise you’re selling..

We have a wealth of experience in providing career guidance, support as well as job opportunities, so if you’re looking for you next career move, get in touch today! Click here to contact one of our specialist recruiters.