Your CV is your first point of contact with a prospective employer and as such it needs to make a first impression.
Just remember though: Simplicity is the new complexity
Follow the suggested tips below and stay ahead of the grid.
- Your format should be easy to read and with simple fonts. Keep it short and remember, less is more.
- Start with your name, address and contact details. Ensure that you include a link with your LinkedIn profile.
- Introduce yourself: This is where you summarize your experience in an eye catching way that will trigger the interest of the recruiting manager.
- Summarize your key skills. Use bullet points as this makes it easier for the recruiter to read while at the same time for the Applicants Tracking System to correlate your CV with the posted job’s requirements.
- List your experience in the most recent historical order. Whilst listing your experience ensure that you shout out your achievements. Be specific and to the point. Should there be a gap somewhere down the line, ensure that you explain reason behind it.
- Include relevant training courses. After all the employer may be interested in new skills that you can bring on board.
- Your CV should be “dynamic”, thus you should be able to adapt it to positions you are applying for by using keywords and highlighting adjectives or verbs that are emphasized in the job posting.
- Ensure that you check your CV thoroughly for spelling and grammar errors.
Finally hold on to the following:
- Stay focused and remain positive
- Be persistent and consistent
- Be agile and resilient
And remember, if the “door” didn’t open, it was simply not the right door for you.