Helpful CV Tips from Neil Bookhory Principal Consultant of Ignite Recruitment Services
It's no secret that a CV is a brief history of your professional life, which becomes a key point in deciding whether or not to hire you.
It is very important to understand that sending a CV to an employer is the equivalent to the first meeting and first impression.
There are endless tips for writing a CV that will increase your chance of success of getting the job.
BUT
Somehow, these tips don't always work, right?
Perhaps that's why you're reading this article right now.
Our principal consultant Neil Bokhoory has prepared the “dos and don'ts” to help you look at your CV differently and understand how it can affect your self-presentation.
1. Spelling errors and bad grammar
Yes, this point comes first.
If the CV has not been checked for spelling or grammatical errors this suggests the candidate has not taken their application seriously and is deemed unprofessional.
To avoid mistakes and getting into a situation where this point has done you a disservice, a simple tip: after writing your CV, check it through yourself or get someone else to read it.
Even better try this site; https://www.grammarly.com/
2. Exaggerating the truth
When describing yourself and your activities, the candidate should be aware that everything written is easily checked by the recruiter, because it is his/her job.
And to be honest, it sells much better to be consistent with what is written than to justify or overstate your strengths.
It is better to write less and more abstractly, but during the interview pull out the aces up your sleeve.
3. Poor formatting
There are many free tools out there to help make your CV stand out and presentable.
When a recruiter reads a CV that has no structure or the basic standards of a CV layout, it can make it hard to read and understand.
If you're having difficulties and are unsure of the format of your CV, catch the link to the application
https://www.canva.com/
Search “CV” and you'll find lots of examples and free templates to help you understand what 'rich formatting' looks like!
4. An unoriginal personal profile
It's understandable that writing about yourself can be difficult at times. But writing standardised personal profiles is not the way to get the job you want.
Highlight your personality. With a short bio focusing on the vision of yourself in the context of the job you want to do.
Ask yourself what you will bring to the role? And what is your personal goal?
After all, personality reacts to personality.
5. Highlight your achievements
A description of your measurable achievements in your professional field will make you stand out and tick the recruiter boxes.
For example:
• installing three interior doors a day;
• brought in three new clients in a month, which gave us15 new openings
• Implemented a new marketing funnel that resulted in 10 times more leads
Look online for examples of how your achievements can be described in a measurable format.
These metrics will clearly set you apart from many others.
6. Making your CV too long
Imagine how many CVs a day a recruiter processes.
10, 20, 30?
The maximum I processed was 54...
And what I would like to say is that simplicity is the friend of talent.
You don't have to write a 3-4 page narrative about yourself to stand out and describe yourself.
A recruiter will not read such detail. The facts and relevant information is crucial to their search for the right candidate.
You will be able to show your unique experience in the interview and give more detailed answers to the points that you have put on 1 page.
7. Putting the wrong contact information
If I can't get in touch with you, I won't waste time looking for other ways to find you.
Pay special attention to the correctness of your contact information.
8. Including hobbies and interests
Each of us has interests and hobbies.
It doesn't matter what they are, it's important that they are there.
Don't be afraid to expose a different side of your CV.
We are all different and interesting. It is a point that should be on your CV.
9. Ignoring gaps in your work history
Better to write the truth than nothing.
Therefore, feel free to point out your gaps. For instance, volunteer, full time parent or career.
These unpaid roles are full of skills and experiences that should be noted.
The linearity of your working practice is not an indication of your professionalism.
Your skills are the best advocate of your experience.
At first glance, writing a CV may seem complicated, but I assure you that if you approach the process in a relaxed and creative way, you are sure to stand out from the mass of formulaic CVs and the employment process will be more fun and faster.
Share this article with anyone who could use the tips.
I wish you good mood and easy job placement.