CAREER PURSUIT

In some cases, recruitment managers may only have time to spend a couple of minutes scanning each CV. Therefore, it’s crucial that your key information is clear and stands out. Sarah explains, “We can get hundreds of CVs for one job role, so you get about one to two minutes … it's a very short period of time that it takes for someone to captivate me .” When researching ‘ideal CV length’, the general consensus is that a CV should be around two sides of A 4 . Sarah agrees, recommending somewhere between one and three pages depending on how much experience you have. Check for errors It’s not unheard of for hiring managers to disregard a CV purely based on poor grammar. So, it’s vital you make correct spelling, punctuation and grammar a priority. According to Sarah, “[Grammar is] really important … it can be the difference between being invited for interview or being rejected.” Demonstrating a good command of the English language is essential if you are applying for a role in sectors such as marketing, administration, and education. However, even if you don’t believe your job will involve much written communication, a well- presented and accurately written CV shows professionalism and attention to detail – highly regarded qualities in any profession. Our brains have a habit of making us see what we expect to see, so make sure you also get someone else that you trust to check it for you before you hit that ‘submit’ button. You can find some top tips on how to quality check your CV in the checklist on p. 52 . Social media presence LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter … having a strong digital footprint can be a real positive in today’s job market. However, it’s important to be mindful of the image you portray of yourself online, and how that could look to a potential employer. Recruiters will often search the online profiles of applicants, and in Sarah’s experience this can cause problems for the candidate: “Their CV will tell us one story, and then their LinkedIn profile will tell us something completely different … it doesn't make sense.” Spend some time reviewing your social media profiles and make sure they match up with your CV. Company culture and personal brand This may not be the first thing you think about when considering your CV, but Sarah explains that building a ‘culture over strategy’ business is becoming an increasing priority for companies: “We recruit for culture first followed by technical skills and capabilities.” Employers want to know that you are going to be a good fit for their organisation, so think about the kind of company that you want to work for. What kind of culture and values do they promote? Ask yourself how these align with your own, and make sure you communicate them clearly in your CV. Finally, remember that your CV is a representation of you . Be authentic and positive – this is your first step towards an amazing new job! 05 C A R E E R P U R S U I T 2 0 2 0