5 Ways To Get Your CV Shortlisted

Landing an interview for your dream job is no easy feat, especially with the huge number of applications that employers receive.

Now, assuming that the role you are looking for has been applied by over 1000 applicants, how will you ensure that your CV is put into a yes pile? This is a question that frustrates many job seekers.

Standing out from the crowd with a well-written CV is crucial to getting past the initial automated screening and getting shortlisted. While having the right qualifications and experience is important, it’s how you present yourself on paper that can often make the difference.

Here are 5 impactful ways to increase your chances of getting your CV shortlisted.

1. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems

Did you know that many large companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes? These systems use keyword scanning to quickly filter applications. It’s estimated that around 50-75% of resumes never make it past an ATS.

To optimize your CV, research the job description and company website thoroughly to uncover the most important skills and qualifications for that role.

Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your CV, particularly in your career objective and descriptions of responsibilities and achievements.

For example, if they mention project management experience, be sure to include relevant project examples. Formatting your CV with standard sections like these also helps the ATS read it properly.

2. Highlight Quantifiable Achievements

Hiring managers are keen on facts and figures that demonstrate the real impact you’ve made. Avoid just stating but show what you did by the results wherever possible.

For example, instead of “Increased sales”, say “Increased sales by 25% over 6 months”. It shows you can deliver tangible business benefits.

You can quantify things like cost savings achieved, projects delivered on time and on budget, productivity improvements, customers gained or retained, and errors reduced.

Back up big claims with hard data too. Hiring managers will mostly remember impressive stats that prove your value.

3. Customize for Each Role

A generic CV won’t cut it when competition is fierce. Customize your CV for each job application by matching your experience and skills more closely to what the employer is explicitly looking for in the job description.

Review the job description and emphasize the elements they prioritized. Tailor your career profile, key skills, and work achievements accordingly. This personalization shows you invested real effort to demonstrate your fit for the role.

4. Opt for Visual Appeal and Easy Reading

Presentation matters a lot. A CV that’s clean and easy to scan makes a better first impression than a text-heavy wall of words. Leave plenty of white space, and use headings, bullet points, and formatting consistently for enhanced readability.

Standard section headings like “Career Profile”, “Experience”, “Education” etc. help give structure and flow. Consider a simple design with a font size between 11-12 points – big enough to read on screen but not overwhelming.

5. Highlight Soft Skills and Personality

With technical skills often quite similar amongst applicants, your soft skills, work ethic, and cultural fit can give you the winning edge. The career profile attributes your interpersonal abilities, collaboration style, strengths in communication, and leadership that demonstrate how you’ll contribute value beyond just doing your job duties.

Don’t hesitate to showcase your unique interests and personality too – things that hiring managers can relate to on a professional level and remember you by.

With competition for roles incredibly high, putting in the effort to optimize all aspects of your CV is crucial to boosting your chances of making it through to that coveted shortlist stage. Taking the time to learn what employers truly want and customizing your CV can help you stand out above the rest.

Do you want to increase your chances of getting interview invites, invest in a professional CV writing service today!