You’ve spent hours crafting what you think is the perfect CV, but ever wondered what happens to it at the other end? When it reaches the recruiter?
Most people I ask think that their CV will be afforded at least 15 minutes of a recruiters time, to go through and digest all its contents.
The truth is, your CV will initially get a quick scan and if the recruiter thinks you haven’t got the skills and qualities required for the post, they will reject your CV at that point. No 15 minute read here!
It’s much the same when you receive a leaflet through your front door at home. You quickly scan the document for interesting info and to see if you ‘need’ it. Then you may read on further or keep for reading later.
If it doesn’t pique your interest in the first 6 second scan, it goes straight into the bin, as is regarded as junk. I do this daily with the deluge of junk mail I get through the door. Double glazing – don’t need it, BIN. Sheds – don’t need it, BIN. Takeaway menu – don’t need it, BIN.
The same happens with your CV! Not a good match – REJECT. Spelling mistakes – REJECT. CV long to read – REJECT etc. etc.
Your ‘good stuff’ need to be on the first page of your CV and up at the top so you make an immediate impact. So don’t hide some of this ‘good stuff’ on the 2nd page!
Your CV is the equivalent of your ‘sales brochure’ – so sell yourself! You need to make that impact.
A recruiter should be able to fold the bottom third of your first page under, and read the top two-thirds, and get a real sense of who you are, what you do, and what experience you have. If it doesn’t, then it’s back to the drawing board!
Nobody is going to know from just reading your CV that you are hiding your light under a bushel, so let the recruiter know how good a match you are for this role.
Recruiters do this job day-in-day-out, and often will be recruiting for numerous positions at the same time, so time is crucial to them.
Many roles attract 100-150 candidates, so do the maths – it would be impossible to read every CV for 15 minutes!!
So, do yourself a favour by ensuring your ‘sales brochure’ really does capture your skills and talents and mirror and match the role you are applying for.
And, if you need a critical eye, I’ll always look it over for you and do a FREE CV review, and tell you honestly where it needs work and enhancement.