Unravel the code to produce a winning CV
THE humble resume may have been around for half a millennium — since it was said to have been invented by Leonardo da Vinci — but it has changed drastically to reach its modern form.
This year is expected to transform further. Recruitment experts — Talent Propeller founder Sharon Davies and Outplacement Australia consultant Gillian Kelly — outline what employers are looking for.
FLUFF IS OUT, SUBSTANCE IS IN
“If you want to make an impact, ditch flowery filler and simply let your career results do the talking,” says Kelly, a judge at the 2016 Toast of the Resume Industry Awards. She says the best resumes illustrate achievements and career results, focusing on evidence.
CREATIVE VISUALS
Elements such as colourful infographics, icons, testimonials and feature boxes increasingly are popular, particularly for the creative industries, Kelly says.
However, she cautions these formats are not always appropriate and can interfere with tracking systems, which are often used by recruiters.
VIDEO RESUMES
Davies says jobseekers who also film themselves for their CV broaden their horizons. “Video CVs give local and international companies a real peak behind the curtain at who you are as a person,” she says.
REVERSE ENGINEERING
With the increasing use of ap- plicant tracking systems, Kelly says the resumes that win interviews typically are built to include keywords, skills and experiences sought by the hirer.
“This is not to be confused with keyword stuffing,” Kelly says. “This is instead the careful development of the resume content designed to showcase specific important skills.”
Davis calls this SEO (search engine optimisation) for your CV. “What is this employer looking for? What values and skills are they seeking? By paying close attention to the keywords in a job application, you’ll give yourself the best chance of responding to it successfully,” she says.
PERSONAL BRANDING AND CAREER STORYTELLING
Generic cover letters and dry lists of responsibilities are no longer enough, Kelly says. She says effective storytelling skills make resumes more interesting while giving employers a better perception of the person, their brand and contributions. Avoid longwinded paragraphs, though.
SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY
Davis says businesses search candidates on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and a lot of people are not doing themselves any favours in leaving their profiles — which are permanent, online resumes — open to scrutiny.
“You don’t want to be remembered as the guy who wore his underwear on his head,” she says.
HOW I HELP BUILD CAREERS:
Gillian Kelly, career consultant, Outplacement Australia
WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY? I help people move forward positively in their careers during periods of change, particularly following redundancy.
This may be help with their resume, assistance identifying their next steps, or coaching on how to prepare for interviews.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS?
Originally I studied marketing at university but soon realised so many people with great skills really struggle to market themselves to potential employers. I began working in the careers sector particularly in resume development and career coaching.
BEST PART OF THE JOB?
The incredible feeling you get when you see someone move into a new role they absolutely love and that they feel valued in. It’s fantastic to see them walking a little taller, confident in promoting themselves.
ADVICE TO OTHERS?
To pursue a career in this field, it’s important to explore potential qualifications and speak to others working in it, including the Career Development Association of Australia.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP?
A public speaker, which I have done quite a bit of since.