When looking for someone to hire, employers will be sent countless amounts of CV’s. To avoid having your CV forgotten in the bunch, it needs to stand out and get noticed. You can do this by having a structured CV. Making sure you follow the basic template of a CV, whilst also maintaining the engagement of the employer can be quite a tricky task, yet there are some ways that you can make this happen. Read on below to see how to craft a structured CV that will be noticed by employers.
Keep Your Points Direct and Brief
Following on from the previous point, your structured CV should be kept short yet full of important and useful information. Don’t send an employer to sleep! Including important points in 1 paragraph could distinguish you from candidates who took 3 to say the same point! Don’t prolong your important points as it will lose its effect if it is within a long waffling paragraph. Remember, the employer wants to know about your experiences as well as your qualities, they do not need to know about how passionate you are for the ninth time.
Be sure that within your structured CV, that when you say a quality, back it up with a short example of when you used it. For example, saying you are a ‘fast worker’ and then writing down a time when you worked fast. Try to find a specific time and not just a generic answer as that proves nothing. Present your qualifications separately so that they are easy to see and understand.
Ensure Your Personal Statement is Engaging
The very first thing that an employer will see of your CV will be the personal statement. This short paragraph could be the difference in your CV being read all the way through or simply put to the side. Start off by saying who you are and what your qualities and aspirations are. Try and keep it brief and direct, there is nothing more frustrating to an employer than drawn-out points that could’ve been summed up in one sentence. As long as you are confident in your words and clarify what you can offer, then the employer will be more interested in your CV.
Remember the Basics
To ensure your structured CV, you need to be aware of the basics of writing. This includes any spelling or grammatical errors, as even if you are a very suitable candidate for a job, it will not matter. If an employer sees countless spelling mistakes in your CV as they will see you as unprofessional. A structured CV should have headings for separate features such as qualifications, aspirations and skills and qualities. The worst thing you can do is miss out due to simple writing errors.
Alter the CV Towards the Job Role
It is important that in your structured CV that you apply it to the specific job role. Think of some of your qualities that match what the employer wants in an employee for their business. Emphasise these skills as these are what are important in the job role and even be slightly hyperbolic in your words as this is what an employer wants to see. If you stick with one CV and try to apply it to different job roles it will not work. For example, you do not need to be physically strong if the job role does not include heavy lifting.
Contact our Team of Recruitment Experts at Pure Staff
Looking for a job that will suit your needs? If so, Get in touch with our team at Pure Staff to discuss your businesses recruitment requirements and job-seeking needs.
Contact us through our contact form or on 0121 237 4840.
