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CV Tips

Six Tips To Getting Your CV Noticed

1) Get the basics right

  • Use an easy to read font. Nothing too out there in style, colour or size.
  • Keep the formatting simple and easy to follow. Don’t allow your CV to get cluttered, it has to be clear and concise.
  • Only use contact details that you can be reached on during the day. Ensure your answer phone message is professional.
  • The ideal length is two to three pages. There are a few exceptions to this, but not many.
  • Use bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs.
  • Save the file as ‘your name – resume’. Don’t use the date, as this instantly tells a hiring manager how long you’ve been looking.

2) Send a clear message

Modify your CV for every application. It needs to read as a clear narrative in relation to the role you are applying for. Pick out and emphasise only your key achievements and experience that relate to the role you are applying for. We are not suggesting removing details of your work experience, a clear chronology of your experience is important, but you can limit the detail listed from roles that are not as relevant and highlight the detail on those that are.

3) Get to the point

When you are looking at a website do you read on if the first page doesn’t grab your interest? The same goes for your CV, the content on your first page is critical. Too often most of the first page taken up with contact details – these should be the space of a header, a couple of lines at most. Next include a succinct headline and summary that clearly shows the value you can add followed by your key achievements listed as bullet points. This should all make it into the first two thirds of your first page; any longer and you need to trim things back.

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4) Facts and figures

Use facts and figures that quantify achievements that paint a clear picture of your abilities. Hiring managers generally have an idea of what duties are required from your job titles. What they don’t know is what sets you apart from others in the same sort of role. 

5) What have you been up to?

Explain any gaps in your work history. If you don’t, hiring managers are left to draw their own conclusions.

Make sure you list start and end dates for each role.

If you have some ‘job hopping’ in your work history you should add your reason for leaving roles. Having to relocate city or a business closing is less of an concern than it looking like you jump from job to job every couple of months.

6) Attention to detail

Having not meet you before, your CV and cover letter are the only things a hiring manager can assess you and your suitability on prior to selecting who to interview. They will be looking at your attention to detail: spelling, grammar, formatting and content is critical. Check it, re-check it and then get someone else to check it.

That someone else that you get to read your CV should be able to tell you the sort of role you have applied for just by reading your CV. If they can’t you need to revise your CV until it is clear.