Top 5 ways to improve your CV
With unemployment at a record high, 2011 has been one of the most competitive and challenging years to find a job. Not only has youth unemployment rocketed, but at the other end of the spectrum companies making redundancies have risen significantly and also retirement ages are constantly increasing.
With the number of applicants per job and competition levels at an all-time high, just how do you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd? Here are our Top 5 ways to improve your CV:
1. Make the interviewer want to read your CV
The first thing your interviewer notices when they look at your CV is…how it looks! Your interviewer will form an impression of you within seconds of glancing at your CV, and if it is one big jumbled mess of paragraphs and font sizes, it won't do you any favours. Think about it from a business point of view - if the interviewer can't easily read your resume then they could instantly assume you are unorganised, not IT proficient, or lazy. A clear, concise and intelligible CV will instantly make you more attractive as an employee, especially when you are being scrutinised and compared to hundreds of other applicants.
2. Keep it short
It is a common mistake to try to oversell yourself as you desperately try to impress, but sometimes, less really is more. Which is why your CV should never be more than two pages long. Focus instead on your strengths and what makes you the perfect candidate for the job, and you'll be onto a winner!
3. Don't lie!
Whether you claim to have graduated with a First at University or you played tennis for your county, if it's not true, don't risk it. Interviewers and employers will be trying to test you and catch you out, so don't give them the opportunity. Interviews are one of the most nerve-wracking situations you will find yourself in, and if you get asked about something you've fabricated on your CV it could really throw you and ruin your chances. Just be yourself and see what happens!
4. Remove your hobbies from your CV
So, you like shopping, playing the clarinet, and exploring museums… That's great, but does your future employer really need to know this?! Although it's always good to show that you have interests outside of your work, your employer is only looking for what you can bring to the company. Some hobbies may also be detrimental to your chances of getting the job. If you say that you like 'socialising' they may envisage someone who likes to drinking and wild parties. Even if this is not the case, your future employer may form this view of you from this word and not invite you to an interview. And although this sounds extreme, with 80 applications per job, this ruthless process is becoming common practice so don't fall down at the first hurdle!
5. Go that extra mile to demonstrate your passion
The only time you would ever list your hobbies on your CV is if you think that they are relevant to the position you are applying for. Say you are applying to work in theatre. If your hobby is painting and you are applying for a position as a design assistance, or if you enjoy dancing and you are applying for a role in musical theatre, your hobby will be beneficial for the role so by all means list it. But thousands of people are passionate about art or have learnt to dance, so how do you stand out from the crowd? One of the best ways to demonstrate your passion and an exposure to other cultures is showing that you've gone that extra mile and enrolling in a course abroad. Travelling to Seville to try out some dance holidays to improve on your flamenco in an authentic and exciting environment, where you will be filled with enthusiasm and have a fantastic experience to share with the interviewer should you need it. If you want to highlight your creativity, showing that you've enrolled in photography holidays or painting holidays abroad, where you will be inspired by the beautiful surroundings and charming cultures and have incredible stories and artwork to discuss during your interview. Demonstrating your dedication by travelling abroad to pursue your passion is extremely impressive and will really help your CV stand out from the others.
With the number of applicants per job and competition levels at an all-time high, just how do you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd? Here are our Top 5 ways to improve your CV:
1. Make the interviewer want to read your CV
The first thing your interviewer notices when they look at your CV is…how it looks! Your interviewer will form an impression of you within seconds of glancing at your CV, and if it is one big jumbled mess of paragraphs and font sizes, it won't do you any favours. Think about it from a business point of view - if the interviewer can't easily read your resume then they could instantly assume you are unorganised, not IT proficient, or lazy. A clear, concise and intelligible CV will instantly make you more attractive as an employee, especially when you are being scrutinised and compared to hundreds of other applicants.
2. Keep it short
It is a common mistake to try to oversell yourself as you desperately try to impress, but sometimes, less really is more. Which is why your CV should never be more than two pages long. Focus instead on your strengths and what makes you the perfect candidate for the job, and you'll be onto a winner!
3. Don't lie!
Whether you claim to have graduated with a First at University or you played tennis for your county, if it's not true, don't risk it. Interviewers and employers will be trying to test you and catch you out, so don't give them the opportunity. Interviews are one of the most nerve-wracking situations you will find yourself in, and if you get asked about something you've fabricated on your CV it could really throw you and ruin your chances. Just be yourself and see what happens!
4. Remove your hobbies from your CV
So, you like shopping, playing the clarinet, and exploring museums… That's great, but does your future employer really need to know this?! Although it's always good to show that you have interests outside of your work, your employer is only looking for what you can bring to the company. Some hobbies may also be detrimental to your chances of getting the job. If you say that you like 'socialising' they may envisage someone who likes to drinking and wild parties. Even if this is not the case, your future employer may form this view of you from this word and not invite you to an interview. And although this sounds extreme, with 80 applications per job, this ruthless process is becoming common practice so don't fall down at the first hurdle!
5. Go that extra mile to demonstrate your passion
The only time you would ever list your hobbies on your CV is if you think that they are relevant to the position you are applying for. Say you are applying to work in theatre. If your hobby is painting and you are applying for a position as a design assistance, or if you enjoy dancing and you are applying for a role in musical theatre, your hobby will be beneficial for the role so by all means list it. But thousands of people are passionate about art or have learnt to dance, so how do you stand out from the crowd? One of the best ways to demonstrate your passion and an exposure to other cultures is showing that you've gone that extra mile and enrolling in a course abroad. Travelling to Seville to try out some dance holidays to improve on your flamenco in an authentic and exciting environment, where you will be filled with enthusiasm and have a fantastic experience to share with the interviewer should you need it. If you want to highlight your creativity, showing that you've enrolled in photography holidays or painting holidays abroad, where you will be inspired by the beautiful surroundings and charming cultures and have incredible stories and artwork to discuss during your interview. Demonstrating your dedication by travelling abroad to pursue your passion is extremely impressive and will really help your CV stand out from the others.
