SELLING YOUR CV - THINK SMARTER & BE SELECTIVE

Think smarter.  Carefully targeting roles and employers often pays dividends. It could mean landing a better job or something that is more suited to your experience, skills and qualities. Being selective may also save time, effort and resources.

Many candidates do not plan effectively, fail with their research and are unable to sell their CVs effectively. It is not surprising that many will fail to land their ideal job.

Before going any further, it is important to identify four main considerations when selling a CV to recruiters. Keep these in mind when creating a CV.

                                                                                                                                 

FOUR MAIN ELEMENTS TO SELLING YOUR CV

1) Competition is intense - differentiate yourself from others

Competition for jobs is intense, so your CV must clearly stand out from others.

2) Sell your potential - grab the attention of the recruiter

A CV is a personal selling document and an opportunity to sell your skills and qualities to prospective employers. Do not be afraid to sell your potential - remember to grab the recruiter's attention.

3) Carefully target job roles & employers

CVs must carefully target relevant jobs suitably qualified and experienced for. Further customise applications by matching key experience and relevant skills with keywords and phrases contained within the job description.

4) Decisions on inviting candidates to interview are based on the CV alone

CVs can be gateways towards achieving career goals so the outcome of an interview can be life changing.  Recruiters base decisions on whether to invite candidates to interview on how well CVs match up to the job description. 

Get the CV right and there is a good chance of being invited to attend an interview. 
Remember, a new job is an opportunity to establish a worthwhile career path and fulfil your
true potential with a new employer.

                                                                                                                                 

SELLING YOUR CV - STRATEGIES

Getting your CV short listed for interview is the overall objective. To make this happen, Winning CV has identified a number of key elements (strategies) to ensure your CV stands out from others. Follow this advice and you cannot go far wrong.

1) Submit a quality CV and covering letter

The CV must be well presented and articulated to clearly sell the personal profile, career goals, experience, qualifications, skills, qualities and any achievements.

2) Research the company before applying

Research may give some indicators about the type of candidates they are looking for.
Candidates sometimes do not target the right employers so this is important.  At the very least, there should be some indications about the level and calibre of candidates the company is looking for.

3) Tailor your job application to the job description

There are key phrases, buzzwords, skills and qualities stated on the job description.  Remember initial recruitment decisions are based on what is included within the application and how it matches up to the job description.  At the very least, it will show some time and effort has been made.

4) Only target job vacancies where 60-70% of the job description is matched

Anything less, then there is no point in applying. Candidates have more success if they are suited to the role in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and qualities. It is important to be realistic.

5) Be sure any career choice is the right one

If the career choice is not realistic and there is not enough supporting evidence to back this up, then there is a high chance of being beaten to interview by other candidates.

6) Have clear career objectives & focus

A lack of focus or overall career objective can affect the ability to get interviews (i.e. not trying hard enough, no vision of where you want to be, etc). A wrong career decision may come back to haunt
you at a later stage.

7) Be persistent and proactive

Proactively send out applications. It is important to keep knocking on as many doors as possible. One will eventually open!

8) Consider doing something different from other candidates - differentiation

Competition is intense so a different approach or including something different may distinguish an application from others. It is important to think of something clever (subtle) that will make a good impression.

                                               

                       

Selling your CV to employers! - Thinking smarter than the competition will gain a better response!