Job Seekers > Top Tips For Updating Your CV
Top Tips For Updating Your CV
Are you not getting the response you are looking for from your CV? Maybe you need to take a fresh look at how you present yourself and your CV. Here are some tips that could help you get a foot in the door and one step closer to landing that perfect job.
- Think objectively
One of the basic tenets of writing your CV is to sell yourself, but it can be hard when it comes to the crunch. Throughout your career jot down those projects you contributed significantly to, and the problems you helped to solve as these will come handy later in the piece. It is also much easier to write positively about yourself when you are feeling praised and happy with your current working situation. Let this show on your CV, even if leaving your current job has not even entered your mind.
- An extra pair of eyes
Someone who knows you should take a glance at your CV so you can get an objective angle on it. This way you will learn their first impressions of the CV as a whole. Get someone to ‘skim’ read it first, then ask them to tell you the major points that stuck out. This can drastically improve the overall quality of your CV. CVs that stand out, due to a combination of presentation and content, tend to get short-listed and actually read. Your helper should then re-read the entire document. They should then be able to provide you with a brief summary of your work and education history. This will enable you to evaluate yourself in a positive and fair manner. After this it should be just a matter of checking for grammar, spelling and typos.
- Get the writing right!
Writing your CV is an art form in itself. Take clear examples of peers that have landed your dream job, each industry looks at a CV differently, and tailor your CV to the role you are aiming for. If you are having trouble there are many individuals and businesses that specialise in writing CVs. These are staffed by professional writers and editors who are dedicated to the creation of top resumes. These people have spent years studying the art of writing the perfect CV and they know exactly what different companies are looking for.
- Buyer beware
If you decide to use one of these services then you must investigate them a little beforehand. There are many inexperienced CV writers who think they can offer this service. You should check their credentials and experience. With a little investigation and a few questions it should be obvious whether you are dealing with true professionals or not.
- Are you contactable?
Once your CV is ready, you should always get a third party to take a last look at your contact details before sending it off. It is a surprisingly common mistake to write an incorrect address and on occasions even your own name might be spelt wrong.
Extra note: how about updating your academic, work and experience details?
