We asked our Salt Digital Recruitment Agency experts from around the world to provide us with their top tips for ensuring your CV is in “candy cane” mint condition (like what we did there?). As 2018 is approaching, many of us start to think about our careers and decide to explore new opportunities.
These top tips could help secure the role you are looking for, kick-starting the next chapter of your career in 2018…
Every snowflake is unique, as is a job role – so make your CV bespoke to each role
“Every CV should be a bespoke document for the specific role you are applying for. It’s vital that you know what the top 3/4 identifiers your client is looking for and highlight these at the top of your CV”
Graham Walker, Country Director, Australia
Leave the photos for the family Christmas card…
“No Photo – it’s not necessary and is irrelevant to the application and let’s face it – it is out of date as soon as you add it.”
Jacqui Barratt, CEO, APAC
Are you on par with the hardworking elves? What did you achieve in your last role?
“My top tip is to focus on actual measurable achievements an individual has produced in your CV rather than a list of job responsibilities. i.e. What have you actually changed for your company?”
Richard Smith, Country Director UAE
Keep an eye on length; after all, no one enjoys a never-ending Christmas Carol
“I think key thing on a CV for me is length; anything more than 2 or, absolute max, 3 pages is just too long. I also think that format should be a brief overview, some clear and easy to read bullet points about your key achievements and then go into your work history. If the overview and achievements are impressive and catchy, then the rest of the CV will be looked at; if not, then it probably won’t.”
James Walsh, Regional Director, USA
Sam Baxendale agreed, and believes you shouldn’t “overdo it with the tinsel” – Less is more
“I would refer to the oxymoron ‘less is more’.
There’s an inverse proportionality between the length of the CV and the extent that a particular candidate ‘nails’ a particular skillset. The length is often also inversely proportionate to experience in that candidates with longer careers, who are more experienced (and perhaps wiser?) will often rely on less prose and be more succinct. The standard length for a well-crafted CV is in the 2 – 3 side of A4 zone – any more is simply not necessary and will likely dilute the interest of the recruiter of the potential employer.
Whilst in some cases it may not be impractical, those candidates that are able to skillfully present their experience in a compelling, comprehensive way and achieve this on 1 page of A4 will stand out. There is a real art to this, but I’ve seen it done and it tends to have a very positive impact if it’s done right.”
Sam Baxendale, Regional Director, Malaysia
Show quantifiable results to earn your place on the nice list
“Make your achievements clearly visible. People often list just their responsibilities in a CV rather than achievements. Money made, audiences grown, followers acquired, percentage improvement in conversion, or whatever your role’s main goals are – make sure employers can see why you have made a difference above and beyond the other applicants.”
Chris Ward, Marketing Sales Director, UK
2018 is fast approaching so if you are thinking about a new role, spruce up your CV and check out our website to find the right role for you.
