Ay Caramba!….
…the unthinkable has gone and happened.
You’re at the top of the ladder, got a brilliant team, can see the company’s done incredibly well – thanks to you – but for some reason you’re starting to feel downcast on Sunday nights.
What to do? Who to tell? It’s been years since you’ve even entertained leaving your job so where to start?
Welcome back friends. Your first mission is to dust off the CV.
Aha you say – no need for a CV because you’ve got an up to date LinkedIn profile so that’s more than enough…right? No, no and no.
As much as we love it, just because you’re on LinkedIn, it’s no reason to just direct people there or hope that they’ll find you by chance because you’re talented.
In our experience, the old-fashioned two pager is what the employer wants as the first step….then they can send in HR in to read your online posts, count recommendations from your sister and former colleagues and work out how many mini-breaks and oysters you can consume courtesy of Facebook entries.
So here are our Top ten tips to get your CV as shiny as possible.
1. Make sure it’s totally and utterly up to date and makes sense
Yes, doesn’t it sound obvious but you’d be amazed at how many CVs we get with out of date details and information missing. These pages are the first steps to convincing employers you care about getting a good job.
2. Be precise, give details….but not too much
Like a hand of cards, CVs should give enough detail to get viewers gripped but not so much information they don’t want to know more.
Length-wise two pages is long enough (any more probably means you look like a waffler), and in that should be an overview of achievements with two or three situations you are very proud of.
Make sure you get that spellcheck working overtime and then check the little blighter’s not changed anything.
3. Never use jargon
Imagine you are writing your CV for a ten year old and forget using acronyms.
Even if they are all known in your industry you don’t know how widely your CV will be shown. Your potential boss’ financial partner, non-exec director or spouse might have the final say in hiring but work in a totally different field.
4. List interesting interests
Basically this section only exists so that employers are curious to find out more about you.
You don’t have to be a fire-eater after hours but definitely put in something more than liking reading, walking and travelling. Unless it’s whilst fire-eating of course.
5. Save the planet and employers’ time
Don’t feel like you need to put down everything you ever did in a job. As we all know, the average length of a CV is two pages so that the potential employer will take time to look through.
Those pages about you are really a flirtation, don’t tell them everything or they won’t need to get you in to find out more…
6. Get into the dating game
Be meticulous in making sure that everything matches up date-wise. Imagine you’re giving your CV details to super sleuth Sherlock Holmes – employers know when there’s a gap and that’s the first thing they’re going to ask you.
Make sure it’s not just on the CV either, it’s got to tally with your social media entries too. If you’ve been out of work for a particular period put an optimistic and interesting personal spin on it without emotion or blame.
7. Give your CV visual personality
If you’re in the creative industry you can probs go a little bit bonkers with fonts and colour and show the world that you are more than bold Helvetica. It’s got to stand out from the crowd after all. Include colour schemes, photos of awards etc.
Give your potential employer the chance to see that you’ve not afraid to shake things up and that you’ve taken time to show yourself in the best light…without actually writing ‘I’m flippin’ magic’.
Whatever you do decide upon just make sure that you have a crisp, clear layout that’s easy to read.
8. Add an engaging elevator pitch
That all important opening personal paragraph to blow your own trumpet succinctly.
Avoid the cliches ‘motivated, hard worker, enthusiastic’ – these are subjective and a given for any employer. Better to write what motivates and enthuses you.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality. One CV we received had ‘Queen of Deadlines’ and listing of clients as ‘Name-dropping’. It may not be to everyone’s taste but if you’re looking to work with a company with a sense of humour….it’s a great fast track.
9. Tailor the CV accordingly
If you’re going for a job in a particular sector, make sure you highlight your achievements in that area.
Put hyperlinks in for companies you’ve worked for and to your LinkedIn profile so that your posts can be read and appreciated.
10. Quantify achievements
If you can demonstrate that you’ve been responsible for budgets and accounts that led to the company striving then list figures and awards. However be sure you’re not breaching company confidentiality.
Without sounding like your Mum make sure you’re always truthful. If you were on a winning pitch but not instrumental then don’t mention it.
Sherlock will find out.