New Year, New CV, New Job

The current recession has made many people unhappy with the way their career is going (or not going). So, it is no wonder that “Get a better job” is right up there in the top 10 of New Year’s resolutions. And yet, because of the recession, employers need to be extremely demanding of candidates keen to join their team. Competition is so fierce that presenting a strong new CV is the only way to secure that vital interview.

It is essential to get the basics right – a compelling and well formatted two page new CV with perfect spelling, grammar and punctuation is a must. But, aside from these things, how can you use your new CV to sell yourself?

1. Getting the headlines across is your first priority. Use a punchy and well written CV profile at the very start of your document to encapsulate your experience in a nutshell – the kind of job you do, the breadth of your experience, the industries you serve, your key skills – these are all things the employer will want to know and they can be wrapped up in five or six sentences at the top.
2. If you are moving into a new type of role or industry, it is useful to include a short objective in a new section after the CV profile to explain the change of direction.
3. The use of a skills table can make it quick and easy for employer’s to understand what you can offer them. Pull out your key skills from your current and past employment, cross checking against any job advert and person specification provided by your target employer. By selectively paraphrasing key phrases used in the job advert, you can ensure you meet the employer’s checklist and make it into their "yes pile."
4. Your employment history should be featured on the first page of your new CV and then carry on over to page two of your CV. It is extremely important to show how you made a difference in each role, highlighting specific achievements rather than just listing tasks and responsibilities.
5. Focus on the achievements within your last few roles, summarising older work history in a brief and concise manner. It is tempting to include everything you have ever done in a CV, but this can work against your chances of being selected for the next stage of the recruitment process.
6. Finally - a note on training and qualifications. It is vital to keep your skills fresh and up to date, so if you have any industry relevant qualifications or training, please include them in a clear way on your cv, it could make all the difference to your application.