It has always been said that first impressions are important, and this school of thought also applies to your curriculum vitae. How your CV is structured, and the information on it is a determining factor of whether you get a job or not. The job market has become competitive and saturated with highly qualified people. Therefore, you must ensure that your CV works to your advantage and helps you stand out.
So how do you make your CV more interesting? Here are some ways to do it!
- Customization
Many a time, people in the job market will make a great CV and cover letter and then use it to apply for different jobs in different industries. This is a precarious move because the employer is not able to tell how your skills fit exactly into the job description or if they are general. You need to customize each CV to the job you are currently applying to, which sets you apart from the many CVs the recruiter will go through. The recruiter can quickly see that you can be a great addition to the company simply because you have outlined it in your CV and taken the time to really look at the position offered.
- Additional Course
You may be highly qualified in your field of study, but so are others, and this is a fact you always need to have in mind. You can look into courses that add weight to your qualifications. For instance, if you’re going to be working in a diverse location or team, it might help you to stand out to reach A1 proficiency in a language like Spanish by taking a course and making use of resources like this Spanish test. Taking these courses and acquiring new skills boost your chances of landing that job. Some of these additional courses usually take less than six months to learn but significantly impact your resume. Coding has become quite popular and a widely sought-after skill by employers. Online courses in IT professions, such as the ones offered by EPICODE, provide training in digital skills such as data analysis, full-stack developing and more. Coding is beneficial because it can be applied in departments in a company.
- Action Verbs and Keywords
Before applying for any job, you should ensure that you read and understand the job description and the stated specific requirements. The keywords you use in your CV must match the job requirements. Most recruiters will use software that sieve through the many CVs submitted, and they do this by identifying the keywords. If a CV doesn’t have the right keywords, it may get overlooked, which can cost you a job you are well qualified for. Action words show how well you do your job, and such words include accomplishing, establishing and executing. These action verbs direct the recruiter’s thoughts to see your skills as you see them.
- Soft Skills
Any company that aims to succeed needs to build a winning team. Teams work best when everyone involved is doing their part and communicating effectively. Employers will therefore look for people who have great people skills and work well with a team. Soft skills such as emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving put you a cut above other candidates and helps you secure that job.
- CV Layout
Your CV needs to be softer on the eyes, and clumpy layouts can deter recruiters. Employers need to understand the skills you possess after a quick sweep. It helps to have a clean layout, and using the reverse-chronological format has proved quite effective for many job seekers. This layout shows your educational background, past jobs, and skills from the current ones. The recruiter can easily follow your journey to where you are now.
Making your CV interesting draws in the recruiter, and you have a better chance of getting hired. It helps to include a personal statement that shows your authenticity and makes your CV less generic.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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