Crafting a CV that catches the eye of employers is crucial for job seekers. Your CV is often the first impression you make, so it needs to be well-structured, informative, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what employers look for in a CV.
1. Clear and Concise Presentation
Employers spend an average of 6-8 seconds initially scanning a CV. Hence, it’s vital to present your information clearly and concisely.
Key Elements:
- Contact Information: Ensure your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile are easy to find.
- Professional Summary: A brief paragraph summarising your career highlights and skills.
- Sections: Use clear headings like Education, Work Experience, Skills, and Certifications.
- Bullet Points: Break down information into bullet points for easy readability.
2. Tailored Content
Generic CVs are easy to spot and often dismissed. Tailoring your CV to the job you’re applying for can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed.
How to Tailor Your CV:
- Job Description Keywords: Use the same keywords mentioned in the job description.
- Relevant Experience: Highlight experiences that are most relevant to the job.
- Specific Achievements: Showcase specific achievements that align with the job requirements.
3. Professional Summary
Your professional summary or personal statement should be a compelling introduction that quickly communicates who you are and what you bring to the table.
Tips for a Strong Professional Summary:
- Be Concise: Keep it to 3-4 sentences.
- Highlight Key Skills: Mention your key skills and experiences.
- Showcase Achievements: Include a notable achievement or career highlight.
4. Detailed Work Experience
Your work experience section is crucial. Employers want to see a clear history of your career progression and achievements.
Structure of Work Experience:
- Job Title and Company: Clearly state your job title and the company you worked for.
- Dates of Employment: Include the start and end dates for each position.
- Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and achievements in each role.
- Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).
5. Relevant Skills
Highlighting your skills is essential. Focus on both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities).
Types of Skills to Include:
- Technical Skills: Specific to the job, such as software proficiency or industry-specific skills.
- Soft Skills: Important interpersonal skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
6. Education and Qualifications
Your educational background is another important aspect of your CV. Include relevant qualifications and any additional training or certifications.
What to Include:
- Degrees: List your degrees starting with the most recent.
- Institutions: Mention the name of the institutions where you studied.
- Dates: Include the dates of attendance.
- Additional Certifications: Any relevant certifications or professional courses.
7. Professional Appearance
The visual presentation of your CV can make a big difference. A well-designed CV is more likely to catch an employer’s eye.
Design Tips:
- Clean Layout: Use a clean and professional layout.
- Consistent Formatting: Ensure consistent font size, style, and spacing throughout.
- Professional Font: Use a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman.
8. Accuracy and Honesty
Honesty is critical. Exaggerating your skills or lying about your experience can easily backfire.
Ensure Accuracy:
- Check Dates: Make sure all dates are correct and consistent.
- Verify Details: Ensure that all details are accurate and up to date.
- Honesty: Be truthful about your skills and experience.
9. Proofreading
A CV with spelling or grammatical errors can create a negative impression.
Proofreading Tips:
- Multiple Reviews: Review your CV multiple times.
- Get a Second Opinion: Have someone else review your CV.
- Use Tools: Utilise spelling and grammar checking tools.
10. Additional Sections
Depending on the job, you might include additional sections to strengthen your CV.
Additional Sections:
- Languages: Any additional languages you speak.
- Volunteer Work: Relevant volunteer experiences.
- Publications: Any publications or research papers.
- Professional Memberships: Memberships in professional organisations.
Final Thoughts on What Employers Look for in a CV
Creating a standout CV requires attention to detail, honesty, and a clear presentation of your skills and experiences. Tailoring your CV to each job application and highlighting your most relevant experiences can make a significant difference in your job search success.
Call to Action: For more detailed advice on crafting the perfect CV, visit our career advice page or contact one of our specialist consultants today.
By following these tips on what employers look for in a CV, you can enhance your chances of making a positive impression and landing your dream job.