The purpose of the CV

The traditional  CV/resume has been around forever. Even with the advent of Linkedin and other social media platforms the candidate and hiring manager still considers this necessary document as the primary screening document. 

This CV has, however, three particular uses that the candidate needs to understand before entering the market. 

Screening Purposes 

The ultimate test for the CV is that it passes the screening test. The CV should always give the initial “Minimum requirements” test. Most candidates still seem to think that there is no need to adjust their CV when submitting. The CV needs to be ‘loaded” for each specification! The reader will cross reference your CV with the specification to ensure that the two documents match. If not you are out. This is very important! You should also not create to much fluff around the actual information you are providing as part of your minimum requirements.

The reader must be able to find this information quickly. The front page is best. I also suggest duplicating this info in your cover letter as then the reader may not even move to your CV at all. 

Selling purposes 

Your CV must also sell your skills. However, this should not be done a manner that is into much in your face! You just want to get into the interview, and then you can sell yourself in the final interview. Selling in your CV can be done in a very subtle manner. Using achievements and completed projects as well as the use of information that pertains to various proactive initiatives are some of the ways that you can invite the reader to continue to read your CV and complete the journey.

The balance between screening and sales in the CV is essential. This balanced perspective will help the reader understand your Career journey as well as provide context to your future aspirations.(not that most readers actual can do that especially the famous screening practitioners)  

The most critical CV purpose - YOUR SCRIPT 

Most people just don’t even think about this one and why should they as there is so much emphasis on just getting into the interview. Part of the process of compiling a top CV is to dump as much information into the CV document as possible and try to make sense of everything. The eventual product, after you have moved around and formatted all this info should be a story that explains to the reader your entire career journey, i.e., CVforLIfe. So once you are in your interview process especially the first interview, this re-worked CV can then be used as your script to guide you through the interview. Apparently assuming that the  CV was correctly compiled. This has many other positive ramifications as it also assists you with growing your confidence in your interviews so that you can focus on the real questions rather than getting drowned in the nervousness of telling your story. 

So there it is. Very easy but very important. Of course, I have lots more to write about all of these very all important topics. 

Happy hunting! 

www.yourcvforlife.com

Rob Ridout offers; Career coaching services including 

Career coaching, Career counselling, CV and resume writing 

services, LinkedIn writing