5 Simple Yet Powerful Ways To Refresh Your CV

Are you still using the same old CV? It may be time to change that.

Keeping your CV up-to-date means more than adding a few new roles to your employment history every time you look for something new. Even if you think your application is flawless, struggling to hear back from employers might be a clear indication that something’s going seriously wrong.

So before you start sending out applications for jobs, try freshening up your CV in order to increase your chances of getting a job.

1. Update the format

The way you format your CV can have a big impact on its success.

50% of employers consider a logical layout the most important feature of a CV.

With this in mind, formatting your CV in a clear and coherent way should be a top priority.

There are no hard and fast rules to formatting, but it’s a good idea to think about what you want employers to see first.

If you have a lot of experience that’s relevant to the roles you’re applying for, put this at the top.

If you’re a recent graduate with little or no work experience, it might work better to make your qualifications more prominent.

2. Rewrite your personal statement

Your personal statement, or profile, is the section at the top of your CV that highlights your most relevant skills and experience and states your career aims.

It’s a way of introducing yourself and drawing attention to the things you want employers to notice most.

Dedicate a good amount of time to getting it just right, as it will set the tone for the rest of your CV.

Try to include a few concrete examples from your career that demonstrate your value and expertise, and communicate them concisely and engagingly.

3. Finetune your work history

You don’t have to include every job you’ve ever done on your CV.

If you’ve got a lot of experience, or have worked in several different industries, only include career highlights or experience that’s relevant to the roles you’re applying for.

By trimming down your work history, you’ll give yourself more space to include examples and achievements from your previous roles that illustrate your expertise.

4. Add industry keywords

Demonstrate your knowledge of the sector you want to work in by adding industry keywords to your CV.

There’s no need to go overboard, but adding a few buzzwords here and there will show hiring managers you know what you’re talking about.

Busy hiring managers often skim read CVs, so including the right words will help grab their attention and make them take a second look.

5. Proofread, proofread and proofread again

We can’t stress the importance of proofreading enough.

A single spelling or grammar mistake may be enough to put a hiring manager off your CV, so check, double check and triple check it before you send it out.

If in doubt, get a FREE CV review from a professional.

It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To help you refresh your CV, get in touch with a professional CV writer here.