- How to Make a CV Standout Image by SOCIALisBETTER via Flickr
Creating a resume is perhaps one of the most important documents you will ever write. It can help you find the dream job, unfortunately for many people, the resume seems to be a stumbling block to finding the perfect opportunity. How many times have you sent your resume and sat by the phone waiting for a call to be interviewed?
1. Your CV must reflect your market
Who will you be sending the CV to, what will they be looking for, what will make it stand out? Here are a couple of examples. If I was going for a sales job I would first want to get the sales managers attention. How do I get the sales managers attention? By explaining in the first Paragraph my sales achievements. In my current job I may be the top performing sales person. When I send my CV, after my name or under it I may write something like (XXX co current Top Performing Sales Person).
A Doctor or an accountant may put their qualification after their name. Ensure you qualify your experience.
2. Make a CV about your achievements – Not your job
This is the most important aspect as it will make your CV stand out from all your competition. I would estimate about 95% of resumes out there list responsibilities rather than achievements. Lets imagine you have two applicants for an accounting job, one reads
1999- 2009 Finance Manager – Deutsche Bank
Responsible for
Managing a team of 5
Ensuring year end process is completed on time
Improving processes
Performing budgets, forecasts and analysis
The other reads
1999- 2009 Finance Manager – Deutsche Bank
Achievements
Managed and developed a team of 5, through ongoing coaching and mentoring two of the team have gone on to become Finance Managers.
By identifying process improvements I reduced the year end close from 12 weeks down to 4 resulting in a saving of over $300,000 in extra resources
2008 budget I identified and accomplished cost savings of over $3m saving the jobs of 5 staff.
Who would you rather invite in to interview?
3. KISS – Keep it Simple, Stupid
If you follow the above you shouldn’t have any more than two pages. Many people try and pad out the resume by filling it with fluff and generic statements. If you can’t get the interviewers attention in the first few seconds they won’t read any further. Keep it succinct and to the point. Avoid the urge to describe yourself eg: Max is a hardworking, committed and creative individual with a great eye for detail. You’ll be amazed at the amount of people who claim to have great attention to detail and when you read the resume it is littered with mistakes.
DO NOT put a picture of yourself on the resume. This never ever works (unless you are a supermodel) and it can create a negative image. Its a bit like going on a blind date. If you showed a photo before the date you give them an excuse not to meet you (unless you are Brad Pitt).
4. Make sure the right person gets to read you CV
Too many times people don’t get an interview because the right person hasn’t seen their CV. There are many barriers blocking you from the decision maker, HR, PA’s, line managers. Before sending your resume make sure you find out the name and contact details of the MD or Head of the business. If you are going to apply for a job using an online application make sure you follow it up. There was just an example this week at work where a guy had applied for a job direct with the company using their online application process. After a few weeks he hadn’t heard anything and I called him about the job. I put him forward to the line manager who loved him and offered the job. The next day this guy gets an auto response from the companies HR team saying he had been unsuccessful. This happens all the time.
5. One CV doesn’t fit all
Treat your resume like the bait when fishing. If you cast in a few times and don’t get any bites perhaps you may be using the wrong bait. Remember that the resume serves one purpose only, to compel the reader to want to find out more. You may want to make minor adjustments dependent upon the job you are applying for.
How to Prepare for the Interview
