Smart CV design tips

anoisHR Top Tips for designing a “Smart CV"

A smart CV is ESSENTIAL for any person in search of their first / new job, changing careers or perhaps facing redundancy.  It is the initial and usually, at that stage, the only information a prospective employer will possess about you so it is critical to make a very positive first impression. 

Try to think like a recruiter...put yourself in their position in terms of what they may be looking for.  Did you know that many recruiters/employers may initially spend a maximum of 10 seconds assessing your CV so it’s critical that your profile demonstrates clearly why you should be considered as a potentially suitable employee.  Therefore, it is vitally important to create a very positive first impression.  Afterall, you may be competing with hundreds or more of high calibre job seekers to attain that much sought after job!  Remember if the recruiter cannot quickly see the key skills they are seeking, rest assured they'll swiftly move on to the next CV.

A ‘Smart CV’ alone will not ultimately get you the job but without one (where a CV is required for application) your chances of progression to the next critical stage of selection are minimal.  A ‘Smart CV’ will maximise your opportunity of being selected for interview - at which stage you will have better and more interactive opportunity to promote and sell your suitability. 

In summary your CV should:-

1.  Be professional, concise, objective and easy to follow (2 pages max).

2.  Highlight your key career accomplishments that will add value to the company and job.

3.  Highlight information particularly relevant to the vacancy(ies) you are applying for (i.e. your particular strengths with practical evidence of same)

4.  Information should appear in chronological order.

5.  Have no gaps, spelling mistakes and formatted well.

6.  Be factual and somewhat Unique (where possible)

7.  Make it easy for the prospective employer(s) to find what they are seeking.

8.  Give enough information to interest potential employers to call you for interview but don’t overload it with irrelevant information.

9.  Include Bullet Points – avoid long narrative sentences or paragraphs where possible.

If you would like a PROFESSIONAL and MARKETABLE CV to make you stand out from the crowd, please contact anoisHR NOW…

anoisHR also provides · Psychometric Career Path Finder profiling, · Interview Skills Coaching and · Candidate Profile Marketing.

For further information or a consultation please contact Claire Boyle, Consultant.