A profile of your past employment and education encapsulated over a page or two, a CV remains an essential tool in landing that dream job. But while many job seekers believe they have a CV that’s sure to impress, it’s always worth revisiting this vital document before sending off those applications.
Asked what three things candidates should bear in mind when putting a CV together, Dorothy Ho, head of marketing and communications for Adecco in Hong Kong & Macau, says first of all be precise. “A lengthy CV without solid points will put your strengths out of focus, so try to keep it within two to three pages.” Quantifying key achievements, or using real scenarios so the audience has a clear understanding on how you perform is also key, as is tailoring each CV to the application.
One CV that stood out for her recently was for a marketing role, thanks to its clean and tidy presentation, use of modern layouts, and incorporation of colour, icons and attractive typography. “As this candidate was applying for a marketing role, [the CV] needed to have an innovative edge and [demonstrate] creativeness.” Such an approach also tells them something about the jobseekers’ character, she adds. “But the really good thing about this CV is it included their LinkedIn URL, full contact details, company descriptions and all achievements were quantified. This makes the whole reading process smoother, and the effort they put in really showed their professionalism and ensure they stood out from the crowd,” says Ho.
Do any industries tend to generate particularly impressive CVs? It’s hard to say, as it can be subjective. However, each industry does tend to attract CVs developed as an “industry standard” — like a more traditional CV for financial institutions, funky CVs for advertising and marketing, and a heavily designed CV with portfolio snapshots for creative industries, says Ho. Ultimately, however, anyone can develop a great CV if they put their mind to it, regardless of the industry they’re applying for. “The good and bad of a CV really depends on applicants’ effort to put it together, and junior staff can still develop a fantastic CV.”
Ho says it’s easier for recruiters if you list work experience rather than education first, and in reverse chronological order. “In this case it will be helpful for them to find out your latest role immediately and jump directly into the matching phrase.” However, if you are undergoing a dramatic career change, you can consider putting education on top, as this is what you want the recruiter to know first, she says.
Trends have not really permeated the world of CVs, and in 2019 the key is still making it easy to read, says Ho. “No matter whether you are incorporating graphics or using vibrant colours, it has to be extremely easy to read, and recruiters should be able to extract the key information in under one minute.”
Video CVs are great for aspiring interns or those in creative roles, and many clients are also interested in video CVs as it makes the entire application process more digital friendly. “For some roles it will also be helpful if you can share your blogs or YouTube channels, to showcase your creativeness.” The most important thing for a candidate is to be yourself, she adds. “Feel free to film or build a web CV but only if you are comfortable in doing so.”
Not all employers require potential candidates to be tech savvy, says Ho, citing the legal, accounting and procurement industries as examples. “But if you have the skill sets and are willing to share your profile online, feel free to do so. Just ensure everything shared is genuine and be prepared that all public information maybe discussed or shared across the web.” For privacy reasons, always leave your contact as an email address, not a personal phone number.
Ho bemoans the fact that putting false information on a CV is something that happens quite frequently, and the interview process grinds to a halt if candidates fail the background check. Likewise, not proofreading your CV will feel like you don’t care about getting the role. “Imagine putting down a wrong current or expected salary — that would seriously harm your chances of getting an interview. So do proofread again before submitting your CV,” she advises.
When it comes to applying for a job, a CV still works best, as a recruiter needs to examine your profile word by word in a standard manner. However, trends including personal branding or opinion sharing means your bio is a way to be seen, either on LinkedIn, Instagram or similar platforms. “Employers are starting to realise their talent strategy has to move forward to follow their candidates, so we are expecting to see more blurred lines between social media and work, and more tools will be available to fill in these gaps,” Ho says.
Wondering if a personal profile is necessary on a CV? Ho says it isn’t mandatory to create one, and if a candidate really wants to include a personal profile, she suggests keeping it very short. A professional recruiter can determine whether your CV matches their role or not within 10 seconds, so be precise and customise for every application you submit, she says. “A personal profile is more important if you are in a situation where a cover letter cannot be attached with your CV, such as on some recruitment sites, where it will assist the recruiter to know you better at first glance.”
