How to Write Attractive CV |
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Let’s
face it, reading applications and CVs to make shortlist isn’t
not the most exciting task an employer could be faced with.
The fact that in today’s competitive job market, there
can be scores and even hundreds of applicants for the jobs
offers. This means that the average or poor CV will be speed-read
or skimmed over at best. So what can you do to increase your
chances of standing out in your applications for the jobs
you want?
The answer is of course to write a captivating and good profile at the top of your CV, which will entice the employer to read on. The profile’s job is to make the reader convince that this applicant could be the one and that their CV deserves reading carefully and of course to be listed. In essence, the profile is a version of a covering letter, but which doesn’t make specific references to the vacancy in question. If this makes writing a profile sound like a job for a Nobel prize-winning author, take heart. It is not as difficult as it sounds. It’s possible to break it down into three areas, which you can then link together with a few useful phrases and good exposure. You can start with your past experience. You can leave the detail for now, as that comes later in your CV. It’s usually possible to identify the areas within which all your experience falls. You can change your profile with the following kind of phrase: “With 10 years’ experience in administration and Accounting management …”, adapting this to suit your own background history. Try not to be too exacting about sub-divisions of work areas unless it’s really relevant to your application. Next, focus on you skills and abilities. This will focus the employer’s attention on more reasons why you could be right person for their job. To return to our example, you could highlight abilities such as “Accounting management and customer services skills”. With your background established, you can now state what you’re looking for and where you’d like to be in the future. Don’t worry if you haven’t a clear idea of this. You can still construct a goal for the kind of jobs you’re applying for. For example, “seeking to develop my career in the field of business accounting”. Now that you have the main objective of your profile, it’s time to add a little spice. This is what adds the sense of who you are as a person and really persuades the employer continue reading on your CV. Think of a few adjectives that will make the message strong, without going over the top. You can even add a little about how you think you could benefit the company. So now, your profile might look like this: “With 10 years’ solid experience in administration and Accounting management, Accounting management and customer services skills. Now seeking to respond to new challenges and contribute to effective marketing of your organisation in the retail sector.” I think that is not so hard? If you give it some careful thought, and tweak it now and then to suit the different jobs you apply for, your profile will make you sound organised, self-aware and excellent at communication. In short, it’s the spark that sets your CV alright!
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