Why Your CV Isn’t Working and What You Can Do About It
There's no such thing as a great CV! There is only a well-matched CV for ‘that' job.
If you're sending out one CV to every job you see that looks anywhere between a maybe and your dream job, you're most likely missing the mark with every single application.
How do you feel when you get a generic email? You know the sender cut and pasted their message to you. Is it personal? Is it appropriate? Does it speak to you?
That is exactly the reaction the recruiter or hiring manager has when they look at your ‘one size fits all' CV. Underwhelmed!
So how can you get their attention?
If you've already read my book, Get That Interview, you might know what I'm going to say next…
[Tweet “You have to tailor your CV. Every time. Make it personal. “]
Create an obvious match between the vacancy and your skills and experience.
I know this takes time. And probably a lot of head scratching. But if the job isn't worth it a) it's probably not a match to your desires and b) how will you feel when you've got to go and do it 40 hours a week for the next 3-4 years?
Go through the job spec and – with a blank sheet of paper – write all the reasons:
- You can do the job
- Would be good at it
- Have the right experience
- Have relevant achievements
- Have been an asset to previous employers looking to achieve similar outcomes
- Want to do this role for that organisation
- Anything else that makes you a match
This is now the bones of your new CV. You have your content.
Using your old CV create the structure of job titles, previous employers and dates worked. Around your tailored content.
It takes a bit of time to get good at this – just like any skill, practice makes (more) perfect.
But imagine the reaction of the recruiter or hiring manager when they read something written just for them. And how great you'll feel when you get that call asking you to come for an interview…
Of course, the other way to get their attention is to send them a video, but that's a whole other article.
About the author
Author of 'Get That Interview' and 'Clickst@rt Your Career'Julie is The Job Seeker's Guide. She works with thousands of clients through her audio and web-based programmes, helping them get 'job search fit' and successfully navigate their way into that new role.
Select clients are able to apply to work with Julie one-to-one.
Before joining Churchill Brook in 2009, she spent twelve years as an international headhunter, where she successfully helped her clients recruit exceptionally well-matched people, who were passionate about doing a job well done. Julie is an expert at getting candidates noticed by companies and had one of the highest success ratios for CV submission to hire that we know of within the recruitment industry.
Check out what some of her clients have said about her. And check out her Free LinkedIn Review here.
© 2009 – 2013 Churchill Brook International.
