There are no quick fixes that will get you to the coveted first page of Google, but there are...
Getting your CV right is one of the toughest parts of job hunting. First impressions count and you’ll want to provide a professional overview of your experience and why your skillset makes you suitable for the job you’re applying for.
Most employers will give each CV a few seconds before dropping it in the yes or no piles. So, if you’re unsure about where to start or how to make an impact, we’ve got six tips to help get you started.
#1 Keep the structure simple.
#2 Add a personal statement where possible.
#3 Market yourself - but stay professional.
#4 Hobbies and interests. Yes or no?
#5 Quality over quantity - ALWAYS.
#6 Tailor it to the company and the role you’re applying for.
Keep the structure simple.
It’s important you write your CV in date order. Put your most recent job first and then work down in order. You want your CV to state the obvious but a lot of the time, CV’s are easy to skim-read so you want to make your CV punchy and straight to the point.
Bullet points are always good to use when trying to get your point across, especially result-driven points which show what you’ve achieved since being in a specific role. Remember to include your main roles and responsibilities and any supporting evidence which back up your points.
Add a personal statement where possible.
At Digital 22, our application process doesn’t require a personal statement. However, we do encourage you to send it separately. A personal statement, as the name suggests, adds something more personal to your CV. It allows you to explain your circumstances in more detail and why you want the job.
There’s no guide to how long a personal statement should be but in my opinion, it shouldn’t be longer than one A4 page unless the application process states otherwise. It should be more of a brief overview but it gives you a chance to sell yourself some more.
Market yourself - but stay professional.
Your CV is the chance to sell yourself to the reader but it needs to stay professional. Staying away from being boastful is a must but stating all your knowledge and attributes is something you need to get across.
- DO: State any achievements you’ve had within that role and any results that made a positive impact on the business.
- DON’T: Over exaggerate anything or add in any irrelevant information. It’s important to be truthful in CVs and not tell any white lies!
Hobbies and interests. Yes or no?
Definitely! It’s always good to include your hobbies and interests in your CV. They demonstrate certain skills which may come in useful within the role you’re applying for.
They reveal more aspects of your personality (as much as they can through a piece of paper) and give the reader a better idea of what you’re like. For example, in my CV, I might say my hobbies and interests are baking and shopping too much.
Quality over quantity - ALWAYS.
Your CV should be no longer than two pages long. If you’re condensing all of your roles into your key points then, it shouldn’t go past this length.
It’s important not to ‘fluff’ in your CV and just get your key points in. Writing too much will make it confusing for both yourself and your potential employer. If it’s snappy, straight to the point and grabs their attention, there’s a good chance your CV will fall into the ‘yes’ pile.
Tailor it to the company and the role you’re applying for.
Tailoring your CV and cover letter specifically towards the role you’re applying for will not only give you a better chance of getting the recruiters attention, but it also shows you’re genuinely interested in the role. Use keywords that relate to the responsibilities you’d be taking on at the new role and research the company.
The effort you put into making these adjustments is always recognised and appreciated.
Don’t forget, your CV is something that will always need updating. Each job you’re applying for will have a different set of requirements, so it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re tailoring your CV for each application. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach!
Once you’ve tweaked your CV, why not check out our current vacancies?
An amazing CV can help you get the job you’ve always wanted. Once you’ve revisited your current CV and tweaked it using my tips above, why not check out the current opportunities we have available at Digital 22?
Whether you’re got a strategic mind or you’re creative, we’ve got some great job openings. Click the button below to check them out and send in your CV!
