Want to get your CV noticed by employers?
Succeeding in today’s competitive job market depends on a good CV. It’s a dog-eat-dog world when you’re looking for a job. There are hundreds of applications, usually for a single role, where only a handful of CV’s will be considered. Today on the blog, we’re discussing how to get your CV noticed by employers, to ensure that you will always stand out and (at least) make the shortlist of candidates for interviews. From the CV basics, to getting the employer to actually read it, we cover it all.
Remember to Cover the Boring Basics.
We’re not going to hit you with the obvious, be sure to spell-check, update your contacts, and ‘keep it brief’ speech. We’ve gone into more detail about those boring (but very important) factors in this blog post: Is Your CV Application Ready? Refer to that blog post before you send your CV anywhere. It makes for a great last minute check-list to make sure your application is the best it can be.
Match the Job Description & Person Specification.
Sounds simple, but it’s the main reason that most CV’s get deleted or put in the bin. It’s an idea to freshen up your CV with ‘buzzwords’ from the company’s job description. Are they looking for a ‘confident and forward thinking’ individual? Why not slip ‘confident and forward-thinking’ individual into a short description of yourself/the skills section on your CV. Have they mentioned any specific experience requirements? If you meet them, add them in and make them stand out. The job description is there to help you determine whether or not you’re a good fit for the role. Use it to your advantage.
Get Your CV Noticed By Employers by Adding a Covering Letter.
To get your cv noticed by employers, it is a good idea to write a cover letter. Even if it doesn’t ask for one. It creates a softer landing for your CV. Your cover could be the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your CV ignored, so it makes good sense to devote some time to writing at least a short paragraph to accompany your application. Don’t copy and paste anything from your CV. A cover letter should be you expressing your interest in the role, and a few lines explaining why. Mention a little about your experience, but don’t give everything away. That’s what the CV (and hopefully the interview) is for!
The design is key, and you don’t have to be super-skilled to nail it.
You don’t need to design your CV on an expensive software programme. Basic is best when it comes to CV’s but that doesn’t mean the design isn’t important. Make the font simple and a reasonable size. Use bullet points, and keep it looking clean. Add a border if you want to, make headings stand out by under-lining or using bold. Don’t go crazy, and don’t try to over-complicate it. The employer doesn’t have time to scour an overly-designed CV.
So there you have it, our best tips for getting your CV noticed by potential employers! Let us know if you put them to the test!
