1. Win over recruiters with your intro

Stats show that most recruiters (but not the recruiters at Addition Solutions!) spend just 5-7 seconds reading a CV, so you don’t have long to impress! Think about it - most recruiters receive hundreds of applications after posting a job ad. A wordy intro or a simple spelling mistake could land your CV in the bin. Make a great first impression by keeping your CV intro short and highlighting your skills, qualification, and top-notch abilities. The ultimate goal of your intro paragraph should be to captivate recruiters and encourage them to read the rest of your CV.

2. Tailor your CV to the job role

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when job hunting is to send the same CV to multiple recruiters. You must research each position that you apply for and tailor your CV to that specific role. This will show potential employers that you have read and understood the job role and have a genuine interest in the position. Taking the time to tailor your CV could make the difference between being offered an interview or never hearing back. Ideally, you should have multiple CV’s saved, especially if you’re applying for positions in different industries or sectors. Some key parts of your CV to consider tailoring include your personal statement, your work history, and your skills.

3. Keep your CV up to date

It is good practice to keep your CV up to date, even if you’re not actively looking for a new job. There is nothing worse than seeing your dream role advertised and being unable to find your CV! Having your CV up to date and available will avoid you frantically trying to put something together last minute. Revisit your CV every couple of months and update it whenever you get a promotion, earn a new qualification, or complete a major project at work. Keep your CV up to date so that it’s ready at a moment’s notice.

4. Use a free proofreading tool

We know how easy it is to make a spelling mistake, but even a minor error can put people off and land your CV in the rejection pile. Always check your CV thoroughly for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. There are loads of free writing tools - like Grammarly or ProWritingAid - that can improve the quality of your CV. You could also ask a family member or friend to read through your CV before you send it to a potential employer.

5. Don’t include a photo

Including a photo on your CV may seem like a good idea, but it can harm your chances of getting a job. A survey by the Undercover Recruiter revealed that a whopping 88% of recruiters will reject a CV with a photograph. Many recruiters consider it unprofessional to use a photo on your CV, so it’s always best to avoid it unless your application requires a photo e.g. modelling roles. If you’ve been asked to provide a photo, then make sure you dress appropriately and send a high-quality image.

Final thoughts

Writing a quality CV will make the difference between being invited to an interview and failing at the first hurdle. Your CV is your most valuable marketing tool, so it’s always worth investing in ways to make it stand out. We hope our tips will help you write an awesome CV that will impress potential employers and land your dream role!

Give us a shout if you have any questions about CV writing or job-seeking in general - we’re always happy to help!

Stay tuned for our next blog on how to ace video interviews and avoid embarrassing mistakes!