The purpose of the CV UNCOVERED!by Rob Ridout
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. There is little chance of this document being replaced in the
near future.
This
CV has, however, three specific uses that the candidate needs to understand
before entering the market. The CV, therefore, will need to cater to each
of these but still keep that narrative on point according to the job
specification. 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 include too much fluff around
the actual information you are providing as part of these minimum requirements.
The reader must be able to find this information quickly. Selling
purposes Your
CV must also sell your skills and experience. However, this should not be done
in a manner that is not too much in your face! The goal is to get into the
interview, and then you can sell yourself at the 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 understand your commercial successes.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 regards your future aspirations. 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 then try to make sense of the final document. The eventual
product, after you have moved information 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 moving through your interview process, especially
the first interview, this re-worked CV can then be used as your script to guide
you through the interview. This will assist you with 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. Good luck with your job hunting.
rob@isantya.com
www.yourcvforlife.com
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