Tailor-made applications

Copying and pasting can cut you out of the race of being handpicked by recruiters. Not only does it mean that you will be missing out on an opportunity to highlight the relevant skills for the position, but it can also come across as lazy if the same recruiters come across the same CV over and over again. Always read the job spec for keywords and skills that they are looking for and tailor your CV accordingly to stand out.

Leave out things that are not relevant

Your CV is the perfect chance for you to boast. Don't be scared to list all the marvellous things you have done to make you stand out. Remember that there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance. Furthermore, avoid listing skills or experiences that are not relevant to the position.

Keep it simple

Presentation counts. Keep in mind that recruiters receive hundreds, if not thousands of applications in a week, and the last thing anyone one wants is having to sit through an application that has paragraphs worth of information. Keep it simple, remove outdated information, and keep the layout simplified by having headings and subheadings that make your CV easy to understand.

Update your education and skills segments

We all want to stay relevant to the job market and have the most sort after skills to make us stand out. Upskilling your current skills by learning new tools that make you do your job better can give you an added advantage. List the new educational milestones you have made, even if it was a free online course, that has made you improve your performance. Always start with your latest accomplishments before listing the older ones.

Highlight your key skills

It’s all about finding the right fit. When it comes to professional CV writing it is important to have clear listed segments that highlight who you are in a glance. Furthermore, you want to position yourself in such a way that a recruiter knows that you are the one. Have a key skill segment in your CV with the various skills you have listed to make it easier for you to stand out.

Spell check for any grammar mistakes

The recruitment process is becoming highly digitalised, which could mean that the chances of your CV passing through a computerised check before reaching human eyes is bound to happen. Most of these systems are designed to weed out people who will not fit the position by checking for keywords, phrases and language that matches the job description that has been posted. Carefully check if you have spelled everything correctly and have included the correct keywords and phrases to rank higher.