CV Tips to Get that Interview

Presentation is a key factor

A successful CV is clearly and carefully presented at all times, and is printed on crisp, clean white paper. It should also always have a clean layout and be well structured. Your CV should never be folded or crumpled, so an A4 envelope should be used for mailing applications. 

The CV hotspot should always be kept in mind – the first page in the upper-middle section is where the recruiter’s eye will land naturally, so be sure that your most critical information is included in that area.

Limit your CV to a maximum of two A4 pages

An effective CV is concise, clear and makes all necessary points without hesitation. It isn’t necessary to have many pages of paper. Keep it short and sweet. Your CV is your chance to reassure potential employers, and gives you the opportunity to tick all of the right boxes. If you satisfy everything you will have a better chance of getting a job interview. Employers also receive dozens of CVs at the same time, so they most likely do not read every single word. Most will just a CV based on a few sections, so stick with a maximum of two A4 paper pages.  

Have a thorough understanding of the job description

The job application contains clues, so make sure you read all of the details. Take notes and make bullet points. Highlight everything that you possibly can satisfy as well as those areas that you cannot. In the areas you are lacking in, fill the blanks in by adapting them to the skills you have. So, if the job requires somebody who has sales experience, you can use any retail work that you have done – even if you just had a part-time job while you were in college to pay the bills. It will help to demonstrate your skills and show that they are transferrable to the job requirements. 

Tailor your CV to your job role 

Once you have determined what the specific job entails and the ways you match the requirements, create a custom CV for that particular role. You should never use a generic CV. Each CV you send to prospective employers should be customized to the specific role. Don’t get lazy and hope you can just use a general CV because it won’t work. 

Create a custom CV for each job that you apply for. It isn’t necessary to re-write the entire thing, just make sure you alter the details so ensure they are relevant. 

Make the most of your skills 

In your CV’s skills section, make sure to detail your most relevant skills to help you stand out. They may include speaking a foreign language, problem-solving, team working, or computer skills. Your skills can come from unlikely places, so make sure t really think about the things you have done to develop your skills, even if your examples come from being a volunteer or participating on a local sports team – they are all relevant.

Make the most of your interests

Under the interests section, highlight things that demonstrate the skills that employers look for and ones you have obtained. Describe examples where you held positions of responsibility, such as situations where you used your initiative or worked on a team. For example, if you launched a successful league football team or ran your college newspaper. 

Include things that show how skills, interested, and diverse you are. Don’t include passive activities such as solitary hobbies or watching TV that shows a lack of people skills. Do your best to make yourself sound as interesting as possible.    

Make the most of your experience 

Use positive and assertive language under your experience and work history sections, like “achieved,” “organized,” or “developed.” Try to relate your skills to the job position you are applying for. You could write, “The position involved leadership, organization, and planning, as I was responsible for a team.” 

Come to grips with all of the valuable experience and skills you have obtained from your past job roles – even if it was simply working at a restaurant – everything helps. 

Include references 

You should have references from past employers. They should be people who can vouch for your experience and skills. If you have not held a job yet, you can use a teacher. Try to include two references if possible. 

Be sure your CV is kept updated

It is critical that your CV is reviewed regularly. Also, make sure to add any new experience or skills. For example, if you just participated in a new project or did some volunteering, be sure to include them – prospective employers are always impressed with job candidates who go that extra mile by continuing to add to their experience and skills.