7 tips for improving your CV
Your CV is your calling card with companies. It is where your experience should be set out, along with what you have learned and what you can do. But in an increasingly competitive job market, how do you improve your CV and catch a recruiter's eye?
We have put together some tips to make your CV more attractive when you go after the job you want:
An up-to-date, well-crafted CV is essential when you are going after the job you want
1 – Structure
The focus when writing your CV should be making the recruiter's life easier. They should find the information clearly and quickly. Following the standard sections — personal details, objective, work history, education and other qualifications — is always the best route.
2 – Objective
Set aside a sentence or two to summarise the kind of role you are looking for. It is not the most important part of the CV, but something too generic can spoil your chance of standing out. Make sure this information is in there too:
- Personal details, such as name, city and/or state, phone number and a portfolio link;
- A professional summary, giving an overview of your qualifications;
- Education, showing your level of study. If you have a degree, give the level, the course name, the institution and the year you finished;
- Languages, with your level of proficiency in each (basic, intermediate, advanced and so on);
- Work experience, with the company name, the month and year you started and left, the role, any promotions and what the work involved.
3- Design
Keep it simple and to the point, using classic fonts that make the document easy to read and easy to navigate. Of course there are roles that allow for a more creative, distinctive CV, such as graphic design and advertising, but most of the time less is more.
4 – Other qualifications
In this section, list the courses you have taken to complement your education, along with the experience you have gained. Voluntary work belongs here too, and is very welcome.
5 – Skills
If you want to highlight your skills in a tool relevant to the role, put them in this section. Skills in programmes such as Photoshop, Illustrator or the Office suite should be flagged plainly, using the terms basic, intermediate or advanced.
6 – References
Here you can add one or more contacts, with name, job title and contact details (phone and/or email), who can speak to your professional skills. You can also include lecturers or supervisors from research or other academic projects at university.
7 – Check everything
Mistakes on your CV count heavily against you. Check the spelling, the punctuation, the grammar, the content — check everything you can. Make sure there is nothing that could count against you and damage your performance during the selection process.
Why keeping your LinkedIn up to date matters
Keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date is also an excellent way to find the right job
In recent years LinkedIn has been one of the main tools in the job search. Your profile on the platform works as a shop window where you set out your skills, competencies, professional background and qualities. It is also an excellent place to make new connections and grow your network. Here are a few reasons to go and update your LinkedIn:
Companies go looking for up-to-date profiles
Did you know that keeping your profile current attracts interest from companies working in your field? Plenty of recruiters search the network for new people, and they may well get in touch with you. That is why updating your profile regularly matters so much.
Networking is continuous
A network of contacts needs constant maintenance and has to be kept active. LinkedIn is an excellent way to make and keep contact with a range of people, and to keep them informed about what is new with you.
A profile optimised for applications
To apply for new roles, it is essential that your profile is current. Add new courses, contact details and anything else you think worth including that works in favour of you and your career.
Your profile used as a CV
It is often possible to import your LinkedIn data automatically into an application form. If your profile is out of date, that can count against you, since the point is to tell the company about your experience and qualifications.
Marketing through LinkedIn
Promoting your work is of course a great way to advance your career, and one of the best ways to do it is through LinkedIn itself. But take note: no company or recruiter will notice or engage with an inactive profile that has no updates and nothing new.
See how much you gain by keeping your CV and your LinkedIn profile up to date? These are two of the main routes to a new job. And if you are after more tips on this or on recruitment and selection processes, click here and see everything Hprojekt+ has to offer. Take the chance to make those changes and then head to our jobs portal to apply with your updated CV. Good luck!