Tailor Your CV to Each Application
Let’s face it, many of us fall into the common trap of putting together a generic Curriculum Vitae and then attaching that same CV to many job applications. Although you may well be applying for the same job role with the same job title, no two roles will ever be identical, therefore it is most important that you tailor your CV to each individual application that you make.
At Debbie Burbage Recruitment we have put together a simple guide on how to tailor your CV so that you can increase your chances of receiving a job interview with each application that you make.
Analyse Each Job Advert
Unfortunately, too many candidates glance at job adverts and jump to applying before they have even read the specifications and what the position entails. Job adverts are compiled for a reason; it is your opportunity to analyse the information and see if it matches your roles or experience.
It is important to take your time with job applications. Once you have spent some time studying the advert, take a minute to digest what you have read and look at a way to tailor your CV to that particular position. Make sure that you summarise the points given on the advert, showing that your skills and experiences match the requirements of the job specification.
Amend Your Profile
Your basic information, such as your name and address, always sits at the top of your CV. It is vital to make sure that the most important information is seen first by the recruiter. This means that the skills stated in the advert need to be put into this section. You may currently have your degree hidden away in the education section further down the page, move this to the top and highlight the fact that you received a 2:1 degree, especially if it states on the job advert that this is a minimum requirement.
Focus On Your Skills
Keep your educational history brief. There is a lot of information that the recruiter does not need to know, such as the subjects you studied at school. It is more important to focus on what you have experienced since school either in higher education or more specifically experience gained in both past and recent job roles. It is most important to focus on your skills and those that are required for this particular role and then adapt your CV to enhance your skills and experiences so that the recruiter can see that you are a match for this position.
Highlight The Most Important Job Roles
Although you may previously have stated every singe job role you have had over the past few years on your CV, some can be removed to free up space to highlight more important, relevant skills and experiences. In the past it was expected that you should list your previous jobs in chronological order, however, this is not something that is cast in stone. If you feel that a previous role is more relevant to the one you are applying for then it is important to highlight it by putting it first on the list. That way, as the recruiter is reading your CV they will be able to see that your experiences and skills match those needed for the position you are applying for.
Remove Irrelevant Information
Lots of CVs become filled with irrelevant information that the recruiter is not interested in reading. In the end this fills up your CV with a lot of information which does not even get looked at. Things are changing; recruiters are no longer interested in reading about your old schools and hobbies: they want to know about your current skills. This means that it is more important to talk about the skills that relate to the job that you are applying for.
Always Tailor Each CV
Although it may be time consuming to tailor each CV for every job application you make, it is the most important thing that you can do in any job application process. This is your opportunity to present your skill set and enable the recruiter get a better understanding of you as a candidate. Recruiters are unlikely to pay much attention to the same generic CV. To give you the very best opportunity of getting an interview you need to make sure your CV makes an impact and stands out against the rest.
Tailor Your CV to Each Application
Let’s face it, many of us fall into the common trap of putting together a generic Curriculum Vitae and then attaching that same CV to many job applications. Although you may well be applying for the same job role with the same job title, no two roles will ever be identical, therefore it is most important that you tailor your CV to each individual application that you make.
At Debbie Burbage Recruitment we have put together a simple guide on how to tailor your CV so that you can increase your chances of receiving a job interview with each application that you make.
Analyse Each Job Advert
Unfortunately, too many candidates glance at job adverts and jump to applying before they have even read the specifications and what the position entails. Job adverts are compiled for a reason; it is your opportunity to analyse the information and see if it matches your roles or experience.
It is important to take your time with job applications. Once you have spent some time studying the advert, take a minute to digest what you have read and look at a way to tailor your CV to that particular position. Make sure that you summarise the points given on the advert, showing that your skills and experiences match the requirements of the job specification.
Amend Your Profile
Your basic information, such as your name and address, always sits at the top of your CV. It is vital to make sure that the most important information is seen first by the recruiter. This means that the skills stated in the advert need to be put into this section. You may currently have your degree hidden away in the education section further down the page, move this to the top and highlight the fact that you received a 2:1 degree, especially if it states on the job advert that this is a minimum requirement.
Focus On Your Skills
Keep your educational history brief. There is a lot of information that the recruiter does not need to know, such as the subjects you studied at school. It is more important to focus on what you have experienced since school either in higher education or more specifically experience gained in both past and recent job roles. It is most important to focus on your skills and those that are required for this particular role and then adapt your CV to enhance your skills and experiences so that the recruiter can see that you are a match for this position.
Highlight The Most Important Job Roles
Although you may previously have stated every singe job role you have had over the past few years on your CV, some can be removed to free up space to highlight more important, relevant skills and experiences. In the past it was expected that you should list your previous jobs in chronological order, however, this is not something that is cast in stone. If you feel that a previous role is more relevant to the one you are applying for then it is important to highlight it by putting it first on the list. That way, as the recruiter is reading your CV they will be able to see that your experiences and skills match those needed for the position you are applying for.
Remove Irrelevant Information
Lots of CVs become filled with irrelevant information that the recruiter is not interested in reading. In the end this fills up your CV with a lot of information which does not even get looked at. Things are changing; recruiters are no longer interested in reading about your old schools and hobbies: they want to know about your current skills. This means that it is more important to talk about the skills that relate to the job that you are applying for.
Always Tailor Each CV
Although it may be time consuming to tailor each CV for every job application you make, it is the most important thing that you can do in any job application process. This is your opportunity to present your skill set and enable the recruiter get a better understanding of you as a candidate. Recruiters are unlikely to pay much attention to the same generic CV. To give you the very best opportunity of getting an interview you need to make sure your CV makes an impact and stands out against the rest.