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CV Writing Guide: CV Writing Skills and Better Skills for CV Writing.

CV Writing Guide by Winning CV. Writing a good CV to create the right impression with recruiters is only part of the Job Hunting Process. We have identified core elements to help candidates market their CVs more effectively to recruiters. The following article highlights four key ways for targeting a CV as well as developing useful strategies for successfully marketing a CV effectively. Try thinking smarter and being more selective!

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CV Writing Guide: Better CV Writing Skills and Selling CVs to Recruiters. Get noticed with a professional resume document...

One common complaint from recruiters is that candidates fail to target CVs properly to job roles, so failing to sell their true potential. Poorly marketed CVs are effectively a waste of time, as very often they do not make the right impression and persuade the recruiter to read deeper into a candidates career history. This leaves great potential for many candidates to improve CVs
by addressing issues likely to undermine the true potential of the applicant.

Simple solutions can be applied by encouraging candidates to think smarter and adopt a few
key principles. Carefully targeting roles and employers often pays dividends. It can lead to a better job or something more suited to your experience, skills and qualities. Beng selective and remaining clearly focused in a job search usually saves time, effort and resources. Essentially, what is the point of sending a CV that is not completely tailored to the job role?

Recruiters find that candidates fail to plan effectively, do inadequate research and are unable to market their CVs or sell credentials effectively. So, it is not surprising that many candidates fail to to be considered for ideal job roles, essentially through a simple lack of detail and attention. To assist candidates, we have identified the main considerations for effectively targeting CVs to recruiters and selling credentials in an appropriate manner to make the right impression

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Targeting CVs: Four Ways To Target CVs to gain a much better response from recruiters. Be smarter and save time!

1) Competition is intense - differentiate yourself from others

Competition for jobs is intense, so your CV must clearly stand out from others. A CV must be well-presented and have a clear focus (i.e. career motivations, realistic career objective, relevant experience and essential core skills). There maybe other elements like achievements (what a candidate is particularly good at), specific training or offering something unqiue (specialisation).

2) Selling potential - grab the attention of the recruiter

A CV is a personal selling (marketing) document. It must be used as an opportunity to sell your skills, qualities and potential to prospective employers. Do not be afraid to sell your potential in terms of career progression, ability to learn and develop or showing a proven (growing) track record in business. Recruiters are more interested in those with an established track record, so candidates need to supply supporting evidence of these credentials throughout the CV.

3) Carefully target job roles and employers

Candidates often apply for jobs they are not suitably positioned for. CVs must carefully target jobs, as a CV with relevant skills, experience, training and qualifications carries far more credibility than someone applying randomly for a job. Further customise applications by matching key experience and desired skills with keywords and phrases contained within the job description.

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

CVs are a critical aspect of the job selection process. They can be gateways towards achieving career goals and powerful outcomes can result (i.e. it can be a life-changing decision). Recruiters tend to base initial pre-selection decisions on how well CVs match up to the job description.

A well-presented and carefully targeted CV stands a far superior chance of securing a job interview. Remember, a new job is an opportunity to establish a worthwhile career path
and fulfil your true potential with a new employer.

Strategies For Targeting CVs: Alot of hard work, time and attention pays dividends. Think smarter and more strategically.

The initial objective for a candidate with a CV is to get shortlisted for job interview. There are several elements to achieving this goal, so Winning CV has identified a number of key strategies to ensure CVs stand out from others. Follow this advice and you cannot go far wrong.

1) Submit a quality CV and covering letter

A clearly focused, well presented and articulated CV very often creates a positive impression with recruiters. A carefully constructed personal profile detailing career motivations, career goals, core experience and key skills is likely to persuade recruiters to read on and look at the whole CV. The personal profile should be an effective candidate summary, so a great degree of time
and attention should be placed on getting it right. This should lead into the remainder of the CV. Covering letters should also summarise key elements mentioned in a CV.

2) Research the company before applying - can save time and effort!

Candidates sometimes do not target the right employers, so effective research can be important for saving time and eliminating wasted effort. Company Research often gives some indicators about candidate profiles and expectations of the people an organisation employs. Some larger companies possess dedicated career web pages sites giving testimonials and career profiles
of individuals. At the very least, there should be some indications about the level, calibre,
background and experience of candidates the company is looking for.

3) Tailoring job applications to the job description

It is not rocket science. Job descriptions give clues as to what recruiters are looking for and initial interview pre-selection decisions are based on how well a CV matches up to the job specification. Key phrases, terminology, buzzwords, skills, qualities and requirements are stated on the job description. Use the job description to guide what to put in a CV and covering letter. Once a CV and covering letter has been customised, it becomes much easier to target other similar job roles. This will ultimately save time when doing further job applications.

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

In a competitive job market, it is apparent employers are becoming far more selective when recruiting people. Very often, employers can prescribe what they want in an ideal candidate and find themselves choosing from a number of credible candidates. It is important to be realistic when applying for jobs. Realistically, candidates are only likely to be selected for job interview if they satisfy at least 60-70% of the job selection criteria (this can be higher for specialised roles). Anything less, then there is no real point in applying. Candidates have more success if they are suited to the role in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and qualities.

5) Be sure any career choice is the right one

Career choices must be realistic. There must be enough supporting evidence to back up any job application, otherwise people with more suitable credentials will stand a greater chance of securing a job interview. A career change CV may work, though only if there is a similar transferable skills profile, supported by strong motivations and a clear career objective.

6) Have clear career objectives and focus

A common criticism by recruiters is a lack of motivation, focus or realistic career objectives in CVs. Strong motivations enable recruiters to understand why a candidate has chosen any given career and a strong conviction in what they do can sometimes mean more than experience (particularly for graduates). A CV focused on the job description or role in question is far more credible than a CV with no focus or relevance to the application. Realistic career objectives (vision of where a candidate needs to be) are also important, as apparent over-ambition can deter employers from pre-selecting candidates. An assured, focused and realistic CV often stands more of a chance to make an impression. It is also important to continually review motivations and career objectives to ensure continued relevance and motivation.

7) Be persistent, proactive and plan

In a very difficult job market, it is important to remain motivated and proactively send out job applications. Competition for jobs is very high so it is important to keep knocking on as many doors as possible. One will eventually open! Plan an effective job search strategy to carefully
target certain employers, job roles and geographic areas. Continually review the career plan
and look at what is working and those aspects that are less successful.

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. Consider things like awards, achievements, additional training or company placements to help establish a growing track record in any chosen career. Mention specific skills or aspects of work experience that have made a difference or had a wider impact on a business.