CVs are crucial in getting you where you want to go with your career path. However, even if you have all of the necessary skills and have a perfectly presented CV, you’re still not guaranteed to land the job. There are many reasons for this, but it’s visibility to employers is a major one. Here are four top tips to get your CV noticed.
- Synonyms
A good tip for creating CVs is to think like a hiring manager. Most recruiters will use a tool to search CVs for keywords. These keywords can be on their own or as part of a sequence or combination of words. This means that the terminology you use is vital.
For example, if you’re a retail assistant and the job position is for a sales advisor, you more than likely have the same skillset required. However, your CV may not rank highly if at all in one of these searches.
It’s important to think if there are other names for your previous positions and to include these at various points around your CV. If you haven’t had work experience in this role, include positions you aspire to get. This will add the keyword to your CV and make you easier to find.
2. Industry specification
Specific skills will help you to get noticed, just as keywords will. It’s important to use terminology specific to the industry to maximise your chances of getting noticed.
If you can use particular software, mention them. If you have learned any specific skills, mention what they are. Even if these elements are not applicable to the role, it could help your CV to be found.
It can be easy to omit some of your abilities because they don’t seem relevant to the job. However, even mentioning your proficiency in systems such as Salesforce could help to set you apar from others.
3. Expand
It’s important to include the jargon specific to your industry. However, you don’t need to include everything you can think of. Instead, expand on them.
You could be underselling your exact abilities by saying that you can use Microsoft Office, for example. Make sure to say you can use Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc. This highlights your abilities as well as makes you more noticeable to recruiters.
Where possible, mentioning what level you’re at with these programmes. If you’re an expert in Word, say it! Expanding on you competency can be much more effective.
4. Spelling
Correct spelling and grammar are important in every scenario when it comes to CVs. However, in scenarios like this, it’s essential.
Generally speaking, employers won’t be impressed if they see that multiple words are spelt incorrectly. They may overlook the odd typo, but a CV search tool won’t be able to.
CV searches can be redundant if you haven’t spelt a certain keyword correctly. It’s essential to re-read everything over and over again before you submit it. Spellings can be the difference between you getting the job and not. It needs to be perfect.
Next, check out our list of Dos and Don'ts of CVs!