Cash point
It’s a tough job market, and employers take just seven seconds to decide if a CV is worth their time. Here’s how to make sure your application wows
The playing field still isn’t level when it comes to the job market. Job losses among women as a result of the pandemic have been 1.8 times greater than for men, while research from Debut Careers, a graduate recruitment app, has shown that black students have to apply for 38 per cent more jobs than their white counterparts. Here, Amanda Augustine, a careers coach for CV-writing service TopCV, explains how we can make ourselves stand out when we apply for work.
GET THE ORDER RIGHT
Nailing the order of a CV and covering letter makes it easier for employers to find what they’re looking for. “List your experience starting with your most recent job, working backwards. If you’ve had a lot of jobs, aim to limit your CV to the most recent 10-15 years of work”, says Amanda. “Begin with your name and contact information, a professional title that states your job and a personal statement summarising your qualifications and goals. If you’ve recently graduated, list your education and training ahead of relevant experience, academic activities, volunteer experience or technical skills. If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, the education and training sections should follow your work history instead.”
REMEMBER IT ISN’T A BIOGRAPHY!
Updating an old CV? The first thing to consider is length. “When it comes to CVs, two pages is the standard length,” says Amanda. “A CV shouldn’t be a complete transcript of your work history and education – think of it instead as a marketing document, carefully curated to support your current job goals. A potential employer wants to quickly understand why you’re qualified for the role you’ve applied for – research shows they spend less than 10 seconds initially reviewing a CV – so keep it succinct.”
DITCH OLD DETAILS
If you have jumped from job to job for years, how far back should a CV go? “Remove anything linked to work experience, education, and certifications if it’s 15 years or older, unless directly relevant”, says Amanda. “If needs-be, consolidate older work experience into a separate section but remove the dates – they’re unnecessary.”
PERSONALISE IT
“One of the most common mistakes I see is using a generic CV”, says Amanda. “It’s good to have a ‘base’ CV that’s generally tailored for your search, but review it regularly, adjusting the wording to ensure it’s optimised for each vacancy. For example, edit your CV to reflect the language in the job description so you stand out as a good fit.” If you read the job ad and realise you have a skill they’re after, but it isn’t usually mentioned on your CV, add it. “Use your cover letter to explain why you’re a good fit for the position and the company and ensure it’s always written with a specific job in mind. Keep cover letters to less than a page long and always include the person’s name if possible rather than ‘Dear sir or madam’ (a quick Google should help)”, says Amanda.
KEEP THE LAYOUT CLEAN AND CLASSIC
As temping as it is to make your CV dazzle with fancy fonts and images, it’s safer to keep things simple, says Amanda. “Avoid custom fonts, images and formats that include a small right-hand column on CVs,” she says. “This is because many employers use software called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) which automatically scans CVs to eliminate applicants who aren’t suitable. Anyone using an ATS will not be able to read your CV if it’s not optimised with this electronic ‘net’ in mind.”
GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS
Think back to your proudest moments at work – how would you outline them convincingly? “When illustrating your abilities, always offer proof by including specific examples,
figures or case studies that back up your statements,” says Amanda. “Wherever possible, quantify your contributions and achievements to show the value you’ve created for your past employers – it’s difficult to argue with facts and figures, after all.”
DON’T TREAT IT LIKE A DATING APP!
Unsure whether your love of mountain biking or cake baking should be mentioned on a CV? “Only include hobbies if they help to demonstrate qualifications for the role or if they are unique and provide the reader with greater insight into your personality,” says Amanda.
“If it’s a hobby you’d find on a dating profile (think: cooking, travelling or reading) it’s probably not worth listing.”
FORGET REFEREES
Worried about telling your current boss that you need to mention them as a reference? Fear not! “There’s no reason to include references on a CV, or the line ‘References available upon request’ at the end. This wastes precious CV space that could be used for details that convince employers you’re worth speaking to”, says Amanda. “Recruiters don’t need this information until you’re further along in the process – they know you’ll provide details should they need them later on.”
DON’T INCLUDE A PHOTO UNLESS ASKED
Avoid photos, or your CV could be binned. “In the past, a photo was standard and it’s still the case for locations like Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, but antidiscrimination laws mean some organisations automatically disregard CVs with photos”, says Amanda. “So unless you’re applying for a role where you have been specifically asked for a photo (eg in the entertainment industry), let the words do the talking!”