At JR Veterinary, one of the biggest rewards for us is placing a candidate in a role they worked hard to get, (Interviewing, research on the company, taking time to attend interviews, etc.). However, the hard work does not start at the interview stage; part of this starts with the writing of the resume.
You may already have a CV that serves its purpose, i.e. a standard, chronological list of your past jobs, but will this really impress recruiters? Probably not. Bearing in mind that competition is unusually high during this economic downturn and, due to the sheer number of redundancies, many are now searching for new employment.
In order for our candidates to secure roles that they apply for, it is imperative that their CV showcases their skills and experiences necessary for the job. After all, until a candidate has a chance to meet with their potential employer, a candidate’s suitability is, (rightly or wrongly) is based on the first impression of their CV. So, where do we start?
Removing features that you no longer have to have on your CV:
– Display photo – This is no longer needed and exposes you to risk of discrimination.
– DOB – No longer required on your CV. With recent changes to employment law, data protection and the many instances of age discrimination in the workplace, this should not be visible for the benefit of all involved in the application, including you.
– Number of dependents and marital status – again, data protection issues and could give cause to discrimination & also is not relevant in any way.
– References – of course if you do get the job these can be obtained further if & when required. End your CV with references available on request.
– # of pages – Your CV should ideally be between 2 & 3 pages long. Any more than this quickly becomes a chore for a recruiter, especially when they’re having to read through numerous applicants
Adding features you should have on your CV:
– Consistency – Ensure you use the same font throughout your CV, you want it to look professional.
– Contact details – for obvious reasons, but a reminder to make sure that they are up to date. While we are on the subject, only use a professional email address for all work-related correspondence. Could you imagine a candidate applying for a CEO role with an email address of “hotpants@yahoo.com”?
– Strong introduction – Always add a brief profile at the top of your CV before heading into your education and previous work history. Sell yourself in 5-7 lines. This gives the recruiter you are sending your CV across to a glimpse of what is to come.
– Be concise – Bullet points are easier to read when listing duties within roles you have worked in but be mindful not to over do it.
– Show what you’ve achieved – Remember to add any achievements.
– Last but not least, proof read, proof read & proof read.
