How to get your CV recognised
You find it an enigma…you're the perfect match, you've applied for several vacancies, but you haven't heard back from a single recruiter? Why? Look to your CV- you may not be selling yourself well enough!
Your CV is part of your personal brand! Your CV Is your very own marketing document and is often the first point of contact with a potential employer.
This crucial document showcases to potential employers which of your skills and experience you can offer their organisation. You need to make sure that you include the right information to make the right impression. Helen Keller said, "I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do." - The something that you can do is get your CV up to standard!
Ensure that you have the following checked on your CV in order that it may be recognised by a recruiter amongst a pile of CV's'-
- Personal details: This refers to your updated address, telephone number and email address. Remember the most important part here is that all your details are correct and updated. You could possibly miss out on an opportunity because you have your old phone number on your CV and now a potential employer is not able to get in contact with you.
- A personal statement: this is your chance to sell yourself, what are the first things you would like a potential employer to know about you? Three lines should be sufficient to grab a potential employer's attention and make them want to find out more about you.
- Education and training: list your qualifications, in-house training, external training, the institutions and dates of completion. Highlight any key achievements that relates to the job, this could be in or out of work.
- Employment history: Succinct detail should be given regarding your positions held, dates of employment and highlight tasks and responsibilities that show your skills and strengths. What if you don't have much, or any, work experience? think about other things you have been involved in such as school clubs or volunteering. Be honest about your qualifications and experience.
- Additional skills you offer: Skills you may have developed outside of work that could benefit the potential employer or help in the role you are applying for. These skills could be technological skills, languages you able to speak, leadership roles and associations.
- Professional reference: this could be a tricky one… you have two options 1. State on your CV that references are available on request but remember to have updated referees available or, 2. List at least two referees' names, job title, company, company address, telephone number and email address. Remember to ask your referees if it is ok to include them, so they will expect someone to be in touch.
Lastly, ensure that your CV is spell checked, formatted and proofread.
The Working Earth specialists will guide through your job hunting experience. For more information, contact us on 011 475 9668 or visit our site on www.theworkingearth.com to view our vacancies.
Article by Ivona Lewis, Recruitment Consultant.








