It could be your CV that is holding you back!
What can be said about Recruitment that has not been covered many times before? Good question! Sometimes we just need to be reminded of sticking to the basics, and we have a few tips that could go a long way in helping you make that first impression, a lasting one.
It goes without saying that spelling is paramount, there is nothing worse than receiving a CV that is filled with basic errors. Mistakes can easily be avoided if you take the time to read through your CV, and luckily for those that are busy, there are spellchecks – I highly recommend using them (although keep in mind that bare and bear are both correct in the spellcheck laws). Your CV layout / format is also very important, it must be easy to read and inviting, there are many free CV formats available both on the internet and MS Word to choose from.
We are lucky to live in a country where human rights are of a high priority, no discrimination is allowed, use that to your advantage. In New Zealand, most Employers are more concerned about your most current experience, so go back 10 years in history at the most, anything longer than that is not really relevant anymore, and could possibly give away your age before you have even had the chance to impress.
The same applies to age, race, gender, and whether or not you may be pregnant – legally, none of these ‘labels’ matter, however many people are subconsciously biased, so rather take away those biases’ by removing that information.
We should not be judged by what we look like or how old we are, which brings me to my next suggestion – do not include a profile picture, unless you are considering a career in modelling or acting, as again – people will subconsciously judge you.
Generally speaking, no two jobs are exactly the same, so when applying for an advertised role that outlines “About You” / “Experience Required”, look at your CV objectively and think about how you can adapt your CV to highlight your relevant skills.
An example would be if you have previously had a Sales Representative position, then changed careers to an HR Advisor, but realising that you prefer sales – adapt your CV to highlight your applicable experience. Obviously, you cannot make things up and it is not ethical to delete experience so rather focus on attracting the Recruiter to skills, experience etc. relating to the position that you are applying for.
Whether or not you are going to include a cover letter, take the time to think about why it is that you are applying for a specific role – what is it about that advert that makes you think “I want to work there?”.
Many people just apply for a position (even if they do not qualify) in the hope that they will strike it lucky or apply out of sheer desperation. This not only wastes your time but also shows the recipient that you either have not given thought around the application, or even worse – not even read the advert. Not a good start. If you do include a cover letter, have a good look at the advert, how it relates to you, what it says about the company that you are applying to, and how you would be a good fit – research the company prior to applying and then sell yourself! Highlight your relevant experience, skills and qualifications and explain why you feel that you are the best fit to the organisation and role.
Examples of CV formats:
Examples of Cover Letters:
Lastly: check, check and re-check your CV and cover letter before hitting that “Apply Now” button.
About the author
Liane Davies
Liane has extensive experience in Customer Centricity with a background in International Sales, Marketing, Business Development and HR/Recruitment. At Integrity1 Liane is responsible for Talent Acquisition internally and Payroll/HR Recruitment for our Clients. Liane also forms part of the Sales Team assisting with Business Development.