A lot goes into creating a perfect CV and it can be even harder if you are not a professional writer. If you have not updated your CV in a while then maybe it is time to give this crucial piece of document a revamp that will make it all shiny and new. While crafting a CV can be overwhelming especially if you do not have enough work experience or a lot of work experience, it is a task that you have to do if you want to land a job.
A CV is not just a document that will make the recruiter judge you based on your achievements and accomplishments but it is the one that will seal the fate of your career. A CV is your first introduction to the recruiter and if it is not impressive enough, you will never get the chance to introduce yourself personally. So, with a market that is changing daily, how do you make sure your job application stays at the top of this game? Well, here are a few tips and tricks that you should consider while writing a CV that is guaranteed to land you an interview:
Tailoring your CV to the Job Ad:
You want the recruiter to think you are “the perfect person” for the job who has all the skills and requirements that the recruiter is looking for in a potential candidate. Make sure your CV conveys this message, including all these requirements and skills in your CV. The first thing you will have to do is read the job ad thoroughly and highlight the requirements that are mentioned in it. You will find how many years of experience a recruiter is looking for, what skills they want in an employee, and what responsibilities you will have. Now include all of these in your CV. If your CV portrays that you have all the requirements that are necessary for the job role, there is no reason why the recruiter will not give you a call.
Achievements Over Responsibilities:
While responsibilities are important, according to professional CV writers in Pakistan, achievements take your CV to an entirely new level. Usually, the recruiter will already know what your responsibilities were by seeing your job position so try to include achievements wherever you can instead of responsibilities. Also, every candidate who is applying for the job position will have the same responsibilities as you but they might not have made the achievements you did so it is the perfect chance to impress the recruiter and make them see why you are better than other candidates. Achievements will elevate your CV, for example, if you are a sales manager and you write “Generated leads through cold calling” then it seems quite common but if you replace it with achievement and write “Generated 2500+ leads in a month through cold calling” then it makes you look like a high achiever.
Highlight Your Career Progression and Promotions:
Recently received a promotion? Make sure you highlight it and all your other accomplishments in a CV. You can do this by mentioning your latest position before your previous position and including a sentence or two regarding getting a promotion. It can be an achievement regarding how you did something which made you receive a promotion. This will again make the recruiter see that you are a high achiever who has accomplished a lot in your career and that you are constantly making more progress. It will also show that you are driven, dedicated, and hardworking.
Use Reverse Chronological Format:
The reverse chronological CV format is widely known and recognized by everyone in the world. It is also the format most recommended by professional CV writing services in Pakistan. A reverse chronological CV is easier to read and comprehend which means that it will save the recruiter’s time and they will easily be able to skim through your CV. You do not want to format your CV in a way that is complicated to understand all your career history and confuses the recruiter. Write down all your professional experience in reverse chronology, start from the most recent position and go backward. The same goes for the education section.
Use a Professional Email Address:
A recruiter will refrain from contacting someone with an email address titled josh.lovesmusic9@gmail.com. These unprofessional email addresses you made during high school should never be used for job applications. Make a professional email address, using your first and last name, such as joshandrews@gmail.com, and use it for all things job-related. Your contact information is at the top of a CV and it is the first thing a recruiter sees; an unprofessional email address makes you look like an irresponsible candidate.
ATS-Friendly CV:
A CV must be ATS-friendly if you really want it to land you an interview. An ATS-friendly CV has all the keywords from the job ad that the recruiter is looking for in a candidate, it has a standard format and structure with standard headings. Remember, an ATS system will discard your CV if it is unable to read it so, format your CV in the standard way to avoid any such accidents. If your CV is ranked high on ATS, then the recruiter is guaranteed to call you or extend an invitation for an interview. An ATS-optimized CV that contains all the right keywords is all the proof a recruiter needs to know you are the perfect fit for the job.
These are some simple and easy tips and tricks that you should follow while writing or rewriting your CV. Although some of these may seem too small, they can make a huge difference and serve as a game-changer for your CV. Keep your CV updated to make sure you revamp it every once in a while, so that it stays fresh and relevant. You can also follow up your CV with a well-written cover letter to further increase your chances of getting a response from a recruiter.