Tailor Your CV To The Job You Want. Here’s How.
The job market is competitive and it can be difficult to make sure your applications stand out. A brilliant way to maximize your chances of securing an interview is to tailor your CV (also known as a resume) to each job you apply for rather than sending out a generic document. This allows you to tweak the CV to emphasize the skills and experience that each individual hiring manager is looking for. Here are three key strategies for tailoring your CV to the job you want.
1. Open With A Personal Statement
A personal statement of just one or two sentences is a great way to introduce your most relevant experience and why you're the perfect fit for the role. Include your current role, the key experience you have that suits the position, and why you're interested in the new job.
Keep in mind that your cover letter will include more details about your career goals and why you're applying for the role, so don't let your CV's personal statement get too wordy. For example:
"Bristol-based mental health social worker experienced in supporting homeless people, looking for new challenges in a supervisory role."
2. Use Keywords Included In The Job Description
Recruitment agencies and hiring managers often search for keywords in digital CVs that match words and phrases used in the job description. This allows them to quickly pick out candidates who have the most relevant skills and experience for the role.
To improve your application, read the job description carefully and edit your CV to mimic its wording and phrasing. For example, let's say the job description requires the following qualities:
Strong organization and time management skills
Motivated self-starter
Your CV includes the following personal attributes:
Organized
Capable of managing own workload
Goal-oriented
You certainly have the appropriate qualities for the role, but by editing the wording of your skills to match that of the CV you make it as clear as possible that you have what the employer is looking for.
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3. Use Real-life Examples Of Your Abilities
When listing your work history it's important to show the results of your skills and experience by using real and specific examples of your achievements. Remember that your CV ought to be limited to one or two sheets of A4 (or US Letterhead) so don't write long paragraphs. A great way to keep your examples concise and effective is to use the STAR method. This is where you:
S – describe the situation you were in
T – describe the task you were responsible for
A – explain what action you took to address the task
R – share the results of your action
Lastly, Tailor Every Job Application For The Best Chance Of Success
Editing your CV to suit each individual job you apply for may seem time-consuming, but it's the best way to showcase your suitability for the role. Spending a little extra time on an application is definitely worthwhile if it helps you secure your dream job.
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Meet The Writer!
Polly Roberts is a career mentor and recruiter. She loves helping people find their dream job and achieve their goals. Polly has years of experience in the workforce, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.
