Following the success of our recent blog post on creating the interim CV that sells you, Head of Practice for General Management, Sophie Mitchell, shares a few of her own CV hints for writing and construction, in what is still a challenging interim marketplace.
It is sometimes surprising to me how many senior level professionals do not take the time to revise their CV properly. Updating with new titles and positions every few years (or months if you are an interim) is all well and good, but when was the last time you really took a look at the structure and content? Below are some of the main things I believe you should keep in mind when updating a CV if you want to build on your professional success:
CV Hints for Greater Success in Your Job Search
1. Purpose
Keep the aim of your CV in mind. Think of your CV as a sales pitch that sells your experience to potential clients - make it clear what you have achieved to date and what you could deliver in your next assignment.
2. Structure
One of the most important CV hints to keep in mind is to know yourself - be clear about where are you best placed to operate and what you are best placed to deliver. If you can’t talk about it confidently, don’t write it. Key information to keep in mind in that crucial opening profile includes:
- Your level – manager, director, c-suite, partner etc.
- The scale of business you have worked in – SME, national, global
- The sectors/functions/capabilities you have experience in
- Geographies you have exposure to
- Overview of what you have achieved – including tangible statistics where necessary
3. Client-focussed
Clients are looking to match your experience against their business need, so it is important to provide clarity over what you have personally achieved and make it relevant to the client.
Even at a senior level, there is no excuse not to do your research on a prospective company and the environment they operate in.
4. Layout
Effective presentation of even the most basic details about your skills and experience still allude some. Professionals that employ elaborate fonts, boxes and formats to display the simplest information that the client wants to know fast, often find themselves not even getting to interview stage. Be clear and concise when talking about each role by using the following layout:
- Company name
- Role Title
- Dates
- Short overview of the company: scale, sector, business situation and challenges
- Key achievements: tangible deliverables, including any facts and figures
When was the last time you updated your resume? Do you have any CV hints to add? Comment below.
photo credit:The Italian Voice cc
