Less is More

 

You might think that long, wordy sentences and drawn out job descriptions will impress an employer, but the opposite is true. Remember that recruiters have to sift through numerous applications, so a brief CV of no more than one or two pages is much more likely to make impact.

 

Shortening your CV also encourages you to get to the point and only include the most relevant, up to date information.

 

Make it Relevant

 

Tailor your CV to the role at hand by scanning the job description and considering specific elements you could include that meet the description. Maybe pieces of your own experience or education can be reframed to fit better within the role.

Consider a brief, summary headline at the top of your CV that highlights your key qualities while tying in nicely with the job description. This way, employers can see at a first glance that you may be a great candidate for the role.

 

Refine and Clarify

 

It’s a great idea to scan through your entire CV, removing anything that is too far back in history, irrelevant to the role, or outdated. Pre-university education or early work experience, for instance, may not be needed at this stage.

 

On the flipside, make sure to add in any additional education, technical competencies and languages that could boost your profile – particularly if these are related to the job description or if they can set you apart from other applicants.

 

Cut wordy paragraphs down to simple, direct sentences. Use specific language to describe your qualities and quantify your achievements using numbers and figures. For instance, I delivered 10 projects successfully in a period of 24 months.

 

Consider the Details

 

Once you’ve narrowed your CV down to the most essential information, it’s time to bring out the magnifying glass and pick at the details.

 

A clean and professional design for your CV could be the difference between an employer reading through or discarding it. If you don’t know a designer who can help you, consider the key elements of font and font size, line spacing, clear, consistent sections and a simple colour palette.

 

Do a thorough proofread to ensure there are no spelling and grammar errors, and no unnecessary capital letters or paragraph inconsistencies. Finally, ensure that your contact details and personal information is completely up to date. It’s a good idea to repeat this process a few times, leaving a few days between each sweep.

 

Conclusion

 

Taking a good amount of time to update your CV is an essential step on your job hunt. Your CV should represent you in the best way possible. Give it the attention and care it is due, and you’ll stand a great chance of landing an interview. 

 

Don’t overthink it, just submit it!

 

Wash away your self doubts, believe in yourself and submit your application.