How
to tailor your CV for your industry sectors
|
The
qualities that an employer will look for in an applicant
will vary between industry sector. By tailoring your
CV to the specific industry to which you are applying
you can greatly increase your chances of securing
an interview.
When you first write your CV you should include every
achievement, omitting something only if it is out
of date, unimpressive, irrelevant or for the purpose
of space conservation. The document you create will
be your core CV, which is never sent to anyone. From
your core CV you tailor for each audience by choosing
only those pointers that will interest the receiver.
The main areas of your CV that can be tailored
Introduction
Sum up your key qualities emphasizing those that you
know the employer wants to hear. Do not include strengths
if they are not particularly relevant to the job.
Write a brief career aim, obviously stating that the
industry that you are applying for is where you want
your career to be heading in the long term.
Previous employment
Whilst you cannot alter for whom you worked and for
how long, you can edit your role and responsibilities
within those companies without the need to fabricate.
For example if you are going for a managerial position
you should emphasize that your previous jobs entailed
considerable responsibility including decision making
duties. Draw focus to a specific project that encompassed
many of the skills you perceive to be important attributes
for a manager to possess - delegation, meeting deadlines,
consistency, and teamwork. Describe your role in the
project, your actions and the resultant positive consequences
for the company, use quantitative reference if possible.
If you are applying for a sales position highlight
your powers of persuasion with reference to your achieved
monthly targets, name drop prestigious clients and
include details of how much you earned for your last
company. Your potential employer wants a sales person
who gets results.
In essence, think of what the job you are applying
for entails and what the employer wants from the successful
candidate to that job. Then highlight areas or projects
from your previous positions that required you to
use those desired skills, emphasizing how successful
you were at achieving results.
Hobbies and interests
Active pursuits are a good way to unwind and relieve
stress; therefore applicants for positions of responsibility
may choose to include some sporting activities amongst
their repertoire. Those seeking managerial positions
should consider emphasizing their participation in
team sports. Cultural diversity and worldly awareness
are also traits employers may look for. If you are
applying for a writing position then perhaps you want
to state what you enjoy reading. If you aspire to
be a designer state that you enjoy visiting exhibitions
and which designers you most admire.
The content of this section often has little bearing
upon interview selection; however it can do no harm
to show that you carry your passion for your subject
outside of the workplace.
References
It is recommended not to include references as part
of your CV, however if they are requested you can
be selective as to which you give out. Include references
that are relevant to the sector you are applying to.
For example if you are applying for a journalist job
include a reference from the local paper you worked
on, and/or the manager of the printing press you produced
your student newspaper on. Do not include a reference
written by your old manager on the checkout at the
local supermarket unless it is unavoidable.
|
|
|
