Adapt your CV for each application
When you begin to put together your CV it’s ok to start with a conventional style, however once you've got the basics in place it’s time to personalise.
These days you need to adapt your CV for each application, making sure your strongest points for that specific role are towards the front of the CV. If you work that way, then recruiters wont be able miss them.
“Recruiters and interviewers are very busy people and don't have the time, or the desire, to look through CV's for what isn't being said. The typical approach is to fill jobs with applicants who immediately appear to have what they are seeking,” says Life Coach Ellen Bower.
“Adapting your CV to a particular job, task or industry is like speaking the local language and showing the potential employers how you specifically fit the requirements and potential skill level they are seeking for the job. This technique can also enable a potential employer to feel comfortable that the candidate could have a long term career with the organisation. Since your CV only gives you a moment or to tell your story, make sure that the content includes aspects about yourself and your career that you most want someone to know about, and remember.”
Debbie O’Halloran, Editor of Irishjobs.ie agrees. “It should reflect the things about you that will interest a prospective employer and should be targeted to the particular role you are applying for. To target your CV effectively you need to find out as much as you can about the job and what the employer is looking for. Once you know this then you can start to analyse your own skills and tailor your CV to fit. Try and keep in mind the person who will be reading your CV. Dispense with anything irrelevant and work on making yourself stand out from the crowd.”
Although this may seem quite time consuming when you might be applying to three or four companies a week, it is definitely worth it – you'll be snatched up a lot quicker if they see how perfect you are for the job! There are a few short cuts you can also do that will make life a little easier. One idea might be to create a selection of CV's aimed at specific industries you have an interest in. This way you've already begun to specialise your CV s for each area, so some of the work is already done. Keep them on file, and then you can use them as a basis for an application in that area whenever you apply. By creating these alternative versions, and updating them regularly of course, you'll be prepared when that perfect job comes your way.
One version you'll definitely need to create is an electronic CV. More recruiters than ever before are expecting electronic CV s for applications, so make sure you create one that is easy on the eye when read from a computer screen. Don't save it as a large file because if it is small in size it is easier to store, e mail and open.
You should also take into consideration the format of your CV on different systems – will it still look as you had planned? The best option is to turn your Word version CV into a PDF format, as this way it will be platform independent and will always display as you had originally planned. The most important thing is to make sure you use as many keywords as possible. The ‘e-CV’ more often than not ends up in recruiter databases, which are then searched through for keywords when openings come up. You might pick up a few ideas by reading through our feature dedicated to power words LINK.
Finally, when it comes to your CV, use all research tools available to make sure you have created the best CV for the application. Go to career advice centres, use the library etc. Search the web to find out information on your potential employer and what they look for in an applicant – then when you write your CV for them, make sure you mention all those points in yourself; at the top of the document. Then, scatter the CV with all the best keywords. And of course, don't be shy. Your CV is your way of selling yourself. Highlight everything you are great, taking pride in the things you excel at. Modesty won't get you the job, so go show ‘em what you are capable of!
With thanks to:
Ellen Bower, www.ellenbower.com
Irishjobs.ie, www.irishjobs.ie
OTHER INTERNET RESOURCES:
From the IET