No Interviews? How To Draft a Job-Winning CV.

In most cases, job searching can often be considered as a full-time job on its own. You spend many hours writing a job-winning CV, looking for prospective job opportunities, and applying – and nine times out of 10; you don’t even get a response.

So, what can you do to ensure your CV attracts those interviews?

Here are a few tips that you can easily follow to create a job-winning CV and finally land the interviews that have been so hard to get.

1. Format, format, format

It’s an unfortunate truth but a truth nonetheless: recruiters do not read your CV word for word. Or, more likely, they scan your CV for a few seconds. A quick glance usually…and it’s usually finished in 10 seconds.

This is why the structure of the first page of your CV is very important because this is the first and sometimes the only part that recruiters will actually look at.

Choose a simple layout that complements your content and avoids inserting images, graphics, and shapes. This will ensure that the recruiter sees everything they need to see at a glance.

2. Ensure your CV is ATS-friendly

Your CV won’t matter unless it is put into the recruiter’s hands. If you aren’t receiving any calls from your applications, then chances are your CV did not pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Three easy ways to combat this include:

• Make sure you feature keywords from the job description throughout your CV
• Avoid inserting graphics
• Don’t put important information in the header or footer sections of your document

3. Keep it job specific

The first rule of CV writing is always to tailor your CV to the job listing. A smart way to do this is to change the job title exactly beneath the CV to be in line with the one which you are currently applying for.

Also worth looking at when writing a CV is the job advertisement, understanding the skills required, and including them in the CV. Then, demonstrate your experience with these skills in your work experience section.

4. Relevance is key

In a case where you’re applying for a finance role, chances are the hiring manager isn’t interested in your skills as a barista in college.

Remove any irrelevant work experience and concentrate on the experience that would effectively get you the job.

5. Try new approaches

Once you have your professional CV, the next important stage is realising the opportunities available and how best to utilise them. In the event this does not work out, it might be very appropriate to seek another method.

It is good to send applications directly to companies that are hiring, but you can also go other routes. Ensure you’re registered with online job boards such as Career Point Kenya. This will allow recruiters to find you online.

Final thoughts

The job market is arguably more competitive than ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you feel stuck and aren’t getting the interviews you want, it may be because you need to revisit your CV.

Consult with our Professional CV Writers today to guide you further in improving your CV.