How To Write A CV That Gets Shortlisted In Seconds

You have spent weeks working on your CV. You have tailored it for every job by adding the right keywords and even had someone proofread it. You hit send and wait for feedback. But days turn into weeks and you start wondering what went wrong or what could be missing.

This is something most job seekers relate to. Making many applications with no feedback can be frustrating and discouraging.

Recently, a client walked into our office to inquire about our CV writing services. She has a strong background in marketing and has applied for many jobs. Her CV was decorated with experience and accomplishments.

During a one-on-one with Evelyne, a CV expert, she was taken through why her’s was being tossed aside. As Evelyne took a closer look, realized it wasn’t standing out as much as it should. It had all the details, but it didn’t sell her story or highlight her achievements in a way that grabbed attention right away.

Nowadays, recruiters have a few seconds to go through a CV so you should strive to make it attention-grabbing. It is your first impression and if it doesn’t highlight the most important details at a quick glance, it will be tossed aside.

If you feel you are putting in the effort in your CV but no feedback, it might be time to rethink your CV approach.

Let’s take a closer look at the strategies that can help you write a CV that will be shortlisted in seconds:

1. The recruiter should see job-related information first

Every job has its own unique qualifications and requirements. Some jobs emphasize on the educational qualifications, some on the years of experience while other will be seeking a particular set of skills. Go through the job description and determine what the employer is looking for and let that be what they see first.

For instance, if you are applying for a communications jobs that emphasize on expertise in SEO and keyword research, ensure that it’s the first thing the employer sees. You can do this by including it in your career objective.

2. Focus on the right keywords when writing the CV

Keywords are a particular set of phrases related to the industry. If you want to pass through to the interview stage the recruiter needs to see these keywords on your CV otherwise, you will just end up in the reject pile.

Go back to the job description. There are particular sets of phrases and words that are repetitive. Those are your keywords.
So let’s say they want a Business Development Manager  with experience in FMCG, ensure that appears somewhere in your CV. If you don’t have the particular set of keywords the employer is looking for, then you are probably not the right candidate for the job.

3. Ensure that your CV format is presentable

 A CV that gets shortlisted in seconds should feature a presentable format. Don’t be one of those jobs seekers who use font 24 just because they want their CV to appear longer. If anything, this is a big turn off.

Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Would you go through your CV if you it were you? These are the critical questions you should ask yourself to determine if your CV is 20 seconds worth.

4. Ensure that your achievements stand out

I always tell job seekers that before they apply for any job, they should think about the other people applying for the same, some even more qualified than they are.

Your achievements are what set you apart from the pack. You may be having a very good CV and have all the experience that an employer is looking for but if you haven’t highlighted your achievements, your CV becomes just another document in the lot.

Employers are interested in what you have achieved rather than what you have done. It doesn’t matter if you have been head of customer relations for two years, show the employer what you have accomplished in those two years.

5. Have a professional write your CV

Most jobs seekers are of the opinion that hiring a CV writer is a waste of time and money. However, this is far from the truth.

Professional CV writers will be able to write you a CV that is relevant to the job market. The days of sending generic CVs to every employer should be behind you.

Invest in a professional CV and move from unemployed to employed.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling to get your CV noticed despite your best efforts, consider our CV writing services and be on you way to getting that call back for an interview!