Experienced interviewers do not spend more than two minutes on a CV. Your CV needs to be different from the rest. Interviewers are looking to see if there is a fit in terms of your knowledge, skills, experience, capabilities and attitude.
If you have got far as the interview, it is likely that you have succeeded with your CV – atleast to an extent. The questioning process allows them to dig deeper and find out exactly how good a fit it really is.
Most people make a CV and send them to all prospective recruiters which is wrong. CV’s should be tailor made for each job opening and the content in each CV should change as per the requirement of the job.
The advertisement or job description will tell you more about how the CV should be finalized.
Here are some things to keep in mind when making a CV to improve chances for an interview:
Spelling and Grammar: If you cannot take the effort to write a CV correctly, the chances are that you will not take effort in your work either.
Clear structure and format: Keep it simple and sweet. Make sure facts and dates are correct. Use the same font throughout. Do not use underlining and do not have too much blank space on the page. Your CV should include a career statement (what you are looking for from the job), your name, education details, work history and references. Listing competency statements (like communication skills, teamwork, problem solving) with a short description that demonstrates your ability in each, increases your chances of getting an interview by 30%!
Don’t be too modest: Avoid the temptation to be too modest, but keep it real. Include all your achievements (e.g. Employee of the Month award, exceeding sales targets and winning promotion). If you have been involved in a project, make the outcome clear, people want to see if you complete things. Use positive strong words like ‘overcame’, ‘achieved’, ‘created’, ‘completed’, ‘organized’, ‘accomplished’.
Turn negative points into positives: If you think something on your CV could sound negative, turn it into a positive or leave it out altogether. Many recruiters look for continuity of employment and demonstrating steady growth up the corporate ladder.
Covering Letter: Covering letters are a great way to sell yourself and express your enthusiasm for the job. Keep the tone positive and limit the text to one page. Make sure the letter is tailored for the job you are applying for. If you send your letter and CV by e-mail, make sure your subject is self-explanatory.
Happy Job Hunting!!
