Why Your CV Shouldn’t Be ‘One Size Fits All’

Have you ever sent out the same CV to many companies and heard nothing back? It’s frustrating, right? You start to wonder, “What am I doing wrong?”

The truth is, one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is thinking a general CV will do the trick. What if I told you that taking a little extra time to tailor your CV for every job could make a difference?

In my experience when I first started job hunting, I thought the easiest way to get an interview way was to create one CV and send it to as many employers as I could.

After months of silence from employers, I realized something was wrong. That’s when I learned the power of customizing my CV for each job. And trust me, there was a huge difference!

So, why should your CV never be “one size fits all”? Let’s take a look at five reasons why customizing your CV can help you stand out and land more interviews

1. Speaks the Recruiter’s Language.

Every job description uses different keywords to describe what they’re looking for. By incorporating these words into your resume, you will “speak the same language” as the hiring manager. This immediately catches their eye and shows you understand their needs.

For example, if they say they want someone with “outstanding communication skills,” be sure to include that phrase when listing your relevant experience.

2. Shows You’re a Perfect Fit

For most jobs I was applying for, I didn’t organize my entire work history section to feature my projects and work experiences that were relevant to what the employers were looking for and that is why it made it hard for me to connect my qualifications with employers needs.

Customizing your CV allows you to highlight the aspects of your background that directly fulfill what the job requires.

3. Beat the Applicant Tracking Systems

Many companies now use an applicant tracking system (ATS) as the initial screening process. This system scans for keywords – so customizing with their language improves your chances of making it to a recruiter.

I had a conversation with Eva, a professional resume writer and I wanted to understand the steps to crafting an ATS-compliant CV. She highlighted incorporating the keywords used in the job description goes a long way in passing the systems.

4. Shows Your Passion for the Company

Beyond just customizing for the role requirements, take it a step further by researching the company culture and mission. Then incorporate in a few references throughout your resume to demonstrate you’re genuinely interested in them.

Show your enthusiasm for the role by highlighting how your experience aligns with the company’s core values and what the employer is looking for can make your application stand out.

Hiring managers will see you’ve done your homework on them and truly want to join their team, not just any payroll. This level of enthusiasm and research always leaves a strong impression.

5. Engages Recruiters Effortlessly 

With tailored content that is immediately relevant, your resume becomes a quick and easy read. Busy recruiters will appreciate not having to weed through many words to find value.

If I had tailored my CV to specific roles I was applying for in fast-paced startups, it would have been easier for employers to navigate through and pick the information they were looking for.  

Conclusion

The big lesson I  learned from my experience is that tailored CVs are the secret weapon in your job search. With a professional resume service on your side, customization will boost your job search success. To experience these and many other benefits of customizing your CV, invest in our professional CV writing service today!