How To Build A Strong CV To Get Easily Hired
Even in the modern business environment where companies are using technology and employing the hybrid business model, there is still room for traditional things when it comes to hiring people. Basic characteristics such as integrity, discipline, honesty, and drive are still key features of a person that employers are looking out for.
Today, we are in an environment where people are hiring through the internet, interviews are taking place through Zoom meetings and so much of our work has become digital but still, the basic resume is a crucial part of presenting yourself to an employer.
You might not have to hand it in in person but you still need to know how you can put together a solid resume that will advocate your abilities and skills to get the position. Here are some of the main things you should focus on to create a resume that will get you results.
Updated Version
People usually only apply for a job once every few years and once they get a job, their resume sits dormant in a drawer or in a folder on their hard drive.
When you pull it out again, it looks pretty good because it worked for you last time. In reality, a lot has changed since then and it might not be enough to win you the next position you are applying for.
Ideally, you should be looking at your CV every month and constantly updating it as things go along. If you are using your resume after years of not updating it, be ready to put in quite a bit of work to get it up to the mark and make sure that it represents all your current skills.
Style
Now that you know what you want to highlight, it is important that you know how to say it to get the best result. Resumes need to be structured the right way for them to be effective and clear.
There is a high chance that your resume will be read by both humans and bots, especially if you are applying through an online job board. The way you structure the resume, the words you use, and the things you choose to include in it will all play a part in the impression you have on the reviewer.
Instead of writing long paragraphs, consider using bullet points. The aim is to have a style and structure that will grab their attention and convince them to take action in your favor instead of getting bored and just moving your resume to the side.
Personalize
Each job is different and every company is unique in the culture that it carries. Just because a resume worked in getting you a job last time, doesn’t mean it will work this time as well. You need to really study the job and the company you are applying to and make sure your resume meets all their standards.
According to Degree Planet, you need to customize your CV and make a contextualized cover letter for each job you plan to pursue. If you know the managers’ name, use it. If you know some stats about the company, quote those.
If you can speak about how you would do certain things that the company does then discuss those in your letter.
Value vs. Skill
One of the most boring things for an employer is to read through a resume that sounds more like a compilation of job descriptions that mention what a person has done in previous roles. The employer is less interested in what you did and more in how those actions translated into results for the company.
In your resume, you need to show what you can do rather than what makes you a great candidate. Rather than saying you are an excellent salesman it would make sense to say how much of an increase in sales your previous company saw when they hired you.
That proves you are great at sales and puts that information forward in a more attractive way.
Portfolio
Your resume will only tell part of the story. You don’t want to make it so long that the reviewer has to spend a full day just going through it. Instead, consider looking at other platforms to market yourself where you can display your work and talk about why you are an excellent candidate.
If you have a portfolio website, a YouTube channel, a social media handle, or anything else you can direct the employer to where they can learn about your achievements and see how beneficial it can be for them if they choose to hire you.
Use Testimonials
Your resume is designed to sell you to the employer. The more you can do to the resume to achieve that goal, the better it is at selling you.
Just like products and services, what your previous employers say about you adds value to your resume. If you can add some reviews and testimonials that talk about how you were able to positively contribute to the organization you were previously part of, this will win over your future employers.
If you can provide proof that people you have worked with really enjoyed working with you and it was beneficial for their professional careers and that project, your next employer will want that for their company as well.
You can add testimonials to your portfolio site or you can mention them elsewhere but make sure you get them in front of your employer.
Conclusion
If you are applying through a job board, make sure you make use of all the options. Job boards have different things that you can use to make your portfolio stand out such as rankings and badges and awards. Using these things will add more value to your resume and make you stand out from the competition.
If you have learned any new things even if it is as minor as attending a one-day workshop be sure to include that in your resume. You want to provide as many professional details as possible as you never know what will resonate with the employer.
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