The successful CV – how to improve your chances

Are you wondering how to promote yourself? Do you find it a bit daunting that some recruiters receive hundreds of applications for each job application – sometimes more?

Much is written about producing the successful CV and you may be someone who is looking to make changes which could be...

  • transform your career into a new role
  • just starting out in working life
  • taken redundancy and seeking a new path
  • returning to work after a long break 

Whatever the current stage in your working life, it is good to have the knowledge to improve your chances.

First let’s start with the CV itself. Having worked with human resource managers and directors in a previous career as a highly successful senior recruitment consultant, I advise the following: 

  • Make certain you match your skills to the core competencies of the job specification.
  • Keep your application to two pages; one of relevant career synopsis and one page of qualifications, skills and memberships.
  • Have knowledge of the company or corporate culture and how your personality or skills match, this will add value.
  • Make sure your covering letter is succinct and ties in your core skills to this ‘match’.

So, perhaps imagine your job recruiter, sifting through endless applications. He/she will be looking fast to match up ‘core skills’ and, depending upon the position, a suitable transfer of a candidate’s other skills along with their cultural ‘fit’. The precision of this selection process is important to prevent wasting time for the many parties involved in the interviewing and recruiting process.

Frequently, I see a diverse range of clients and some may not have all the core competencies listed for a job, however, they may have the ability to offer value by transferring skills from other roles they’ve had in their lives.

For example, if returning to work, or just starting work, it is essential to present aspects of character to the recruiter that are relevant to the job specification, therefore, show your abilities to focus, concentrate, apply determination and importantly, people skills - engage in teamwork and/or leadership; all of which may be gained from outside work activities such as...

  • voluntary work and related achievements
  • music grades and performances
  • sporting abilities and achievements

Quite often, a voluntary sector, or an organisation with a collegiate spirit, is more likely to want employees with a broad background, therefore the emphasis may not be on academic achievement or the ability to score high net worth deals.

There are many ways to improve your career chances.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Life Coach Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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