1. Make an impression in 30 seconds
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so it's important that your resume stands out from the crowd. Recruitment experts with decades of experience, say that a CV has a “30 second eyeball time”. When creating your CV it is beneficial to consider the following questions:
- Do you want to use an unconventional layout that will make your CV more eye-catching? Or are you applying to a more traditional company?
- Would it be more effective to reduce the number of items on your CV to make the most important points stand out clearly?
- How can you arrange the items so that the most important parts are easily seen by the reader?
2. Present yourself as a problem solver
Each job advertisement is actually a problem for the company. They have a need which they are looking for someone to fill. The details of this need are in the job advertisement, so study it and try to understand the company’s problem and what they are looking for. From there figure out how your skill set would fit into their needs and how you should position yourself to make it clear that you would be a good solution to their problem.
You should make it easy for the reader to identify what your strengths are and how they match perfectly with this job description. Help them identify what exactly sets you apart from other candidates and why these particular personality traits or abilities would benefit them specifically.
3. Highlight key information
This is where you link step 1 and 2. You need to make sure that the key information is as noticeable as possible. This could be by:
- Separating it out from blocks of text so that it stands out
- Putting it in bold
- Putting it in the top section
Whatever you choose to do, make sure the reader won’t miss it!
4. Research the company
No two companies are the same. Your CV should reflect this. The type of company you're applying for will have a huge impact on how your resume is formatted. If it's more conservative, then make sure to keep things clean and straightforward with just the relevant information laid out in an organised manner. On the other hand - creative positions often demand creativity from both employees AND employers so be prepared! Be ready at all times by having various styles inside one document such as portfolios containing work that embodies what makes YOU unique while also following industry standards when necessary
You can include information about:
- The company’s current projects
- What attracted you to the company
- What relevant experience you’ve had in similar companies, environments or roles
Doing this will show that you understand the position, the company and their needs.
5. Prepare a new CV for each job
As mentioned before, no two companies are the same. We strongly advise you to not create a generic CV and then send it out to every job. To stand out from other candidates, take the time to get to know what you’re applying for! You want employers to understand how passionate, dedicated and experienced YOU are.
Your CV is often the first impression you make on potential employers and it’s important to make a good one. By following these simple steps, you can be sure that your CV will stand out from the rest and help you get the job you want.
