3 Simple Changes To Make Your CV Even Better

You are looking for your next job.  It’s a challenge at the best of times.

Right now in the COVID-19 era it’s even tougher.

I’ve read about roles having hundreds if not thousands of applicants.

What that means for you as a candidate is that your marketing materials and your CV have to be as good as they could be.

Having looked at thousands of CVs over the last 25+ years the standard can vary a lot.

However, in my experience, when it comes to accountants and professional people there are a few simple changes that can make your CV even better.

A Strong Professional Profile

Some say that this is a waste of time.  What I’ve noticed and many of my clients have noticed is that a well crafted professional profile makes a difference.

It might well be the only part of your CV that gets read (as opposed to scan read).

Think of it as your pitch which lets the hiring manager know about you, your experience, what you can offer and what you have achieved in your career so far.

Don’t be afraid to allocate a third to half a page to this.

Focus on Key Responsibilities

It’s important to showcase the type of work you have been doing in your career so far.

Equally what you want to avoid is re-producing your job description.

So what I suggest is that you focus on your key responsibilities.  Those few areas that take the majority of your time.

You can also group similar responsibilities into one bullet point.

For example planning, budgeting and forecasting.

Include More Achievements

Whether it’s someone at the early stages of their career or a highly experienced senior manager, one of the most common problems is a lack of achievements.

Perhaps there’s a reluctance to blow your own trumpet or you worry about coming across as being too pushy.

Maybe you think you are just doing your job.

The thing is achievements tell the recruiter a lot about you and the type of person you are.

If you keep them brief they also get the hiring manager curious.  The only way they can get that curiosity answered is to invite you to interview.

The Bottom Line:  Your CV is one of the most important aspects of your marketing materials.  Taking the time to make small but significant changes to your CV can really increase your chances of getting that all important job interview invite.

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About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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