When it comes to the best jobs, competition is tough, with roles frequently attracting hundreds of applications. What’s more, the chances are that recruiters will only spend a few seconds – seven seconds, to be exact - reading your CV, so it needs to jump off the page immediately.
Here are our top tips for creating an impressive CV that shows what you have to offer.
1. Have a template or ‘master’ CV
Having a master CV allows you to keep all your skills, achievements, and experience in one place. You can then rearrange and tailor your CV for each application depending on the skills and specifcs required.
2. Keep it concise
When it comes to your CV, keep it short and sweet. Make sure it highlights your skills and experience immediately. Also, aim to keep your CV to one page – sticking to this will help ensure you aren’t waffling and include only the most relevant information.
3. Formatting is essential
It can be tempting to cram every little bit of information you want to highlight on one page–especially if you have a lot of work experience. For recruiters, being presented with a wall of text can be off-putting. Use an easy-to-read font with a font size between 10 and 12 for the body and between 12 and 14 for the headings. Use line spacing to give it a clean, professional look.
4. Include keywords from the job description
When it comes to writing and editing your CV, reading the job listing carefully and picking the essential keywords to incorporate into your submission can give you a big advantage.
With recruiters reviewing a high number of CVs and applications for each role, they are increasingly using applicant tracking systems (ATS) software to help them identify those CVs that mention key words related to the role the company wants to fill. Look out for any essential skills and
qualifications listed in the job description as desirable or essential and if you can (legitimately) include these in your CV, you’ll maximise your chances of being invited for an interview.
5. Include power words in your CV
Use simple but powerful action verbs that highlight your most valuable skills and demonstrate what you have achieved. Use verbs such as ‘designed’ or ‘launched’, and ‘modernised’ – instead of less impactful ones like ‘helped’ and ‘managed’. Try to avoid overused terms such as ‘hard-working’, ‘results-oriented’, ‘motivated’ and ‘proactive’ as these qualities don’t automatically translate to adding value or producing better results.
Use words like:
- Maximised
- Increased
- Decreased
- Generated
- Implemented
- Streamlined
- Mediated
- Solved
Avoid terms like:
- Helped
- Proven results
- Responsible for
6. Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments
Highlight your achievements rather than your responsibilities: this could be the number of projects you have handled or delivered, the size of the teams you have managed, the percentage of sales growth achieved, or the contract value you were responsible for. Include any evidence that your work has made a positive impact on the business and that your skills are transferrable.
7. Include a personal statement
A personal statement, which appears below your name and contact details, should present a compelling overview of who you are professionally. It should be concise – about 150-200 words – and should summarise your career goals, why you’re suitable for the role and what value you can add to the company.
8. Thoroughly check your spelling and grammar
Your CV must be error-free: grammatical errors and spelling mistakes give an impression of sloppiness and cast doubt on specific skills you’ve claimed to have, such as attention to detail or excellent written communication. Use spelling and grammar tools to avoid giving recruiters a reason to dismiss your application.
9. Ask someone else to read your CV
Besides helping you proofread for possible spelling and grammar errors, a fresh pair of eyes might spot any skills or achievements you’ve missed out on. Those who know you best will be able to tell whether your CV confirms what you have to offer to a potential employer.
10. Align your CV with your online professional profiles
Job titles and employment dates on your CV should be consistent with your professional online profiles such as LinkedIn, as hiring managers and recruiters will often check a candidate’s social media presence before inviting them to an interview. It’s normal for your CV to be shorter than your LinkedIn profile; LinkedIn doesn’t have space limitations compared to a standard two-page CV, so you can use it to provide a more comprehensive professional profile. It will keep your CV concise and impactful.
Read more about how a solid social media profile can help you get hired here.
By following these CV tips, you can catch the recruiter’s attention, show them how great a fit for the role and company you are, and increase your chances of landing an interview. For more guidance on CVs, including choosing the correct format, check out our CV Guide or discover the top job skills to add to your CV.
- Keep a master CV template that you can tailor for each job you’re applying for.
- Use the right keywords so that CV screening tools pick up your CV.
- Match your CV to your online profiles.
“Highlight your achievements rather than your responsibilities.
Use these accomplishments to highlight your growth.”
You need to tailor your CV for every job application so that recruiters know how your skills meet the job specification—while it may seem like a colossal task, tailoring your CV for a job description gets easier with time.
If you need help updating your CV or to find out about our latest roles, contact your local Adecco branch and connect with a recruiter today!