“Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.” – Erica Jong
Bagging your dream job is pretty difficult right now. If it’s not the shortage of positions in your field holding you back, it’s the stiff competition for each role. One way you can increase your chances of securing that interview is with a winning résumé or CV.
Get it right, and you’re one step closer to your dream job. Get it wrong, and it’s back to the drawing board before you know it. Never fear though, as help is at hand. This article is jam-packed with expert advice on how you can transform your résumé:
Freshen Up Your CV
Like many people, chances are you’re guilty of the biggest CV sin out there. You simply fire off the same résumé you used last time you were job hunting. Whether that was 5 months ago, or 5 years ago. True, your career and education history might not have changed since then, but your experiences and skillsets may have.
As well as this information being out of date, the whole ‘feel’ of your résumé could be stuck in the 1990’s. If this sounds like you, freshen up your CV by working through each section and rewriting it. As you have progressed through jobs, your skills will have changed, and you’ll have learnt new things. Make sure you incorporate this into your résumé and bring it bang up to date.
Tailor the Content
If you’re committing this sin of sending out CVs, you’re not making the most of your résumé in another way. Every job you apply for, every company you reach out to, every employer you target is different. So why are you keeping your résumé the same?
Each job advertisement is littered with keywords that you should be putting in your résumé. You don’t have to rewrite the whole thing each time, just a few sections or minor alterations can often make the difference between making the interview stage or not.
Don’t Forget Design
Of course, the content of you résumé is the most important thing that will sell you to an employer. However, you can go a long way towards making sure you stick in their mind by considering the design of your CV.
Remember to use headlines, bullet points, and a legible font size – for both screen and print. You can use standard templates, such as those found on your word processing software or online, or you can be creative and design your own. Either way, you can help make a lasting impression by doing something a little different.
Proofread
The importance of proofreading can’t be understated. Grammatical and spelling errors in your résumé and covering letter simply don’t look professional. Take your time to read, and reread through your covering letter and CV before you hit send. If you’re unsure, ask a friend or relative to read through for you before you apply.
Nailing your résumé is the first step in helping you secure your dream job. If you can make a lasting impression with your CV, the next step is to wow at interview. Once face-to-face with your employer, it is much easier to sell yourself. By following these tips, you give yourself the best chance of impressing the employer in person.
This guest post was supplied by www.outcomesuk.co.uk, a specialist, social care recruitment company based in the UK.
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Good luck in your search.
