Why do you need a professional and effective CV?
In today’s business world you need an outstanding CV to achieve that critical first step in getting the job you want – an interview!
Put yourself in the potential employer’s shoes for a moment. They have a job that they want to fill quickly, easily and most definitely with the right person. That means the person with the right skills and experience. But they have a problem – a very large stack of CVs is sitting in front of them. Somewhere in that pile is the right person, but how to get to them? They only have limited time; they can’t possibly interview every candidate. So they will sort through the stack of CVs and probably spend no more than 45 seconds scanning each one. The ones that grab their attention and score on all of their needs they put aside for future review, the rest they put aside for shredding!
Most CVs are screened initially by a company’s HR/Personnel people, so it is critical that the outstanding and unique qualities that you are offering leap out in a clear and concise way. They are not usually technical people in your specific area, so the opening statement must be easily understood with no jargon. But the CV must also have more depth to it so that when it gets successfully through the initial screening, the person reading it with a specialist eye is attracted to you sufficiently that they want to meet.
In addition, the CV must be accompanied by a carefully worded letter that says to the recruiter “this person is worth looking at”.
In short, the CV and covering letter combined should sell your unique qualities for the job on offer to the recruiter in such a way that they have no option but to interview you!
It should also make the best case for aligning what you want and are offering to the company and what the employer is looking for and can offer to you.
Most job applicants don’t take professional advice on their CV preparation – and some of the CVs they produce are fine. But most people don’t have the expertise, time or inclination to do justice to their CV. If you do, with professional assistance and advice, then that will already put you ahead of your rivals for that elusive interview.