Why Can’t I Get A Job? 5 Ways To Enhance Your CV

Job searching is a grind. And the longer you’re at it, the worse it seems to get. It can be so discouraging to put yourself out there and get rejected over and over again or be met with radio silence.

But rather than keeping your head down and sending out another flurry of applications, you may benefit from taking a step back and considering why you’re not getting the results you want. What’s the real issue keeping you from landing your next gig? Accurately diagnosing the problem now will save you time in the long run.

I was once a culprit for not getting hired even after sending tons of CVs to recruiters. Very discouraging I would say.

 As a serious job searcher, I realized one of the first things I should do is to fix my CV. I used to send out generic CVs that is not tailor-made for the position.

Yes, it takes a little more time to re-write your CV each time, but it will enhance your chances of getting an interview.

Well, to help you get started, I’ve pulled together a list of five ways you can enhance your CV today and boost your chances of landing an exciting new role this month.

1. Research keywords

Including certain keywords in a CV might seem like a small detail but, when you are applying to large companies, it can be vital. A lot of large organizations use ATS (automatic tracking systems) to deal with their applications. ATS software scans documents looking for specific keywords relevant to a position so, if you don’t use them, your CV won’t get past this stage.

To find relevant keywords, scan the job posting, as well as any further information provided, and highlight power words. Another way is to find and read sample CVs for similar positions available online.

2. Optimize the top quarter

The top quarter of your CV is the section that is first visible when a recruiter opens the document. This means it must be persuasive and grab their attention from the moment they set eyes on it.

Make sure this section (which includes your profile, core skills section and current role) are packed with the most sought-after requirements that your target employers are looking for.

Research your target jobs thoroughly to extract the most in-demand skills, experience and knowledge in your field, and highlight your most suitable talents in this top part of your CV.

3. Perfect your formatting

Why go through all the trouble of getting the content and structure of your CV perfect, only to fall at the final hurdle.

You need to make sure that your formatting enhances your application and organises your content effectively.

So go through your CV and make sure you’ve used headings, subheadings and bullet points effectively. And don’t cram it full of big blocks of text.

Remember, white space isn’t always a bad thing.

4. Quantify your achievements

Saying you increased sales is alright, but saying you increased sales by 50% a month will have any employer salivating over your CV. Wherever possible, use supporting figures when you mention revenue or cost savings.

If your changes were performance or process related, make sure you state the benefit this had on the business. For example, you could say you held regular training sessions on customer service and saw an immediate uplift in positive feedback on your comment cards.

5. Consider volunteering for a few weeks

A great way to improve your working experience is to volunteer for a few weeks. If you have a particular type of job in mind that you’d like to do, why not search for companies within that industry and request to do a couple of weeks volunteering with them?

The company will benefit from having an extra pair of hands for a few weeks, and you’ll benefit from improving your knowledge, understanding and experience, which will look great on your CV!

So, if you are looking for a new position this month, keep this advice in mind when writing your CV to instantly boost your CV and help you secure an interview. Also, Consider our CV writing service to help you get started.