What does your curriculum vitae say about you?
When it comes to applying for new jobs, you don’t have much time to make an impression. Most of the recruiters spend an average of five to seven seconds reviewing a candidate’s CV. While the employment market remains competitive, companies sometimes get more applications for employment than they have time to give the attention they deserve. As a coping technique, recruiters have evolved the capacity to swiftly go through CVs and split them into a ‘yes’ and ‘no’ pile. If you want to get through the cut, the information they’ll be looking for initially has to be easy to detect in the initial scan. So, with so little time to impress, how can you ensure your application gets in the ‘yes’ pile?
How to improve Critical thinking?
Here’s how you ace the seven-second CV test:
Make an effort to make it brief and to the point
CVs should never be of a one-size-fits-all approach. Most recruiters agree that two pages are ideal, however, it all relies on the amount of information you have to give. Any more than three, though, will be a major turn-off. The key is to ‘remove the extra fat.’ Ask yourself, “Is this statement relevant to the post for which I’m applying?” If you find yourself saying no, it probably won’t get you through. And when it comes to your credentials, be explicit.
If I give you a book about myself and a synopsis of it, you’re more likely to read the synopsis since your purpose here is to know what I do, not about my entire life, right? The same is true if you are hired by someone else. They are more concerned with the value you can bring than with your background hence cut the extras.
A one-page or maximum two-page CV is respectable and will most likely be chosen by the employer. Keeping that in mind, all you need to do is narrow down the value that you will deliver through the CV. Yes, your academics and the skills you have are significant since they indicate how competent and adaptable you are, therefore be explicit.
Read and Research before drafting
Reading and researching about the area or firm to which you are applying is what I mean. You should be well-informed about the position for which you are applying. To advance to the interview phase, you must first get through the CV shortlisting process. As a result, you must discuss the value you may bring through your efforts. Match the job description’s expectations and reflect them in your CV. Add your extracurricular activities as a sign of unique interest; your recruiter will interpret it as “I’m more than just your job; I can help you in other areas of your work as well, so you need me as much as I need your employment.”
Attract the reader’s attention
Whatever job you’re looking for, always design your CV to include relevant examples that demonstrate to the employer that you’re the proper fit.
Even better if you have a specific career in mind. Use your CV to match the job description and demonstrate to the recruiter that you’re a good fit — not to mention devoted enough to work on your application. Don’t be concerned if your experience does not quite match the job description. Consider transferable talents and demonstrate that you are eager, competent, and equipped to tackle the responsibilities at hand.
Because you only have a few seconds to create a good first impression, you should make your CV as simple to navigate as possible. Prospective employers will be able to tell exactly what they’re working with. Your name, followed by your professional title, should be prominently displayed at the top of the page and serve as an introduction to the whole text. A superb CV also employs customized headlines for each part, optimizing them so that the document’s structure highlights the most significant talents.
For best readability, use short phrases and paragraphs with bulleted lists. Large blocks of text make it more difficult to discover information fast. When an employer has a large number of applications to review, if you make it difficult for them to find the information they need, there is a strong possibility they will just go on to the next CV. While the CV is a very straightforward document, there are methods to give employers a deeper feel of your personality, inventiveness, and subject-matter experience. This is where the hyperlink’s magic begins. Include links to websites that give light on these aspects of your professional brand underneath or next to the contact information in your header. For example, it’s now standard practice to add the URL of your LinkedIn profile (Hint: If you haven’t done it yet, now’s the time.).
If you’re looking for a job that requires you to deal with social media, you may also add links to your personal social media profiles. This is also an excellent spot to include a link to your online portfolio (for those in creative areas) or personal blog (for writers and subject-matter experts). However, if you want to include a link to any of these websites, make sure the material is routinely updated and that the material complements your professional identity and current career aspirations. For example, if you’re searching for a job in the software engineering domain make sure to include the link to your Github profile(make sure you are adding up all your projects there).
Four Things to take to a Job Interview
Use a sensible, easy-to-navigate layout
A successful CV must make appropriate use of formatting. Choose an easy-to-read layout with clear titles, and highlight crucial elements by displaying the material using bullet points. Put the material you want employers to see first, and follow a logical sequence throughout. For example, if you lack prior experience, concentrate on your statement, qualifications, and talents. If you have previous experience in a comparable capacity, save your education information for later.
You may be wondering how that is even possible, but consider this: when you meet someone for the first time, even if you sincerely feel that their attire has nothing to do with their personality, some part of your brain still evaluates the book by its cover. What other reason do you believe they publish good covers? Yes, you understand it now. As a result, the arrangement of your CV is its cover. Simple layouts may be printed or designed. By simple, I mean rational, simple, aesthetically pleasing, and oriented. Make use of phrases that characterize you. First, format all of the superfluous information. Then, create a framework that highlights your essential ideas. Keep in mind while writing your CV that your introduction is more than simply your name.
Get rid of the clichés
A generic application is the most likely to turn a recruiter’s attention off. And, while you may believe that terms like “great team player” and “strong communication skills” are important, all they do is make your CV appear the same as everyone else’s, which may be disastrous when a recruiter reviews your CV. Instead, maintain a positive attitude and constantly back up your claims with real-world evidence. After all, ‘increased income by X’ sounds a lot more impressive than just stating that you work hard. Recruiters are as sick of hearing the same tired stock phrases as you are of writing them. Therefore, to stand out just get rid of these cliches.
Keeping in mind all the above points will help you grab the recruiter’s attention and pass you the seven-second test too.
You can also head over to Great Learning Academy and take up the several free online courses that will help you improve your skills!
