How often have you found the perfect job, sent a resume, and then heard nothing? Is it rare or frequent? Money is frequent because that’s why you are reading this blog. The reason you may not be getting a call back even after sending out so many resumes is simple. The resume itself! The CV might not be impressive enough, have grammatical errors, etc. Even if you have the best skills, if your CV doesn’t impress recruiters, you don’t have any chance of flaunting those skills. It happens because recruiters look over so many CVs in a day. They squint through it and only choose the best one. To increase your chances of getting interview calls, improve your CV. Try the below tips to enhance your CV and land your dream job.
Tip 1: Check the formatting
The format and formatting of the CV are integral. Before you scrutinize every line or word, check the formatting. You don’t want to overwhelm the recruiter with a CV with too many colors, bullet points, or more. Even elaborate borders have no place in a CV. Keep it simple, and let the focus be on your skills. Most recruiters and applicant tracking systems use skills to narrow down the perfect candidates. Here is the best format for a CV that catches the eye of an HR.
Tip 2: Keep the resume short
A 3–4 page long resume is not a good one. Keep the CV short—minimum one page and maximum two. A long CV has too many details, which a recruiter hasn’t time to look into. Instead, write a CV that is specific to the job description. Use the keywords mentioned in the description. Lastly, focus on and elaborate on your skills and instances where those skills were fruitful.
Tip 3: Don’t send the same CV to everyone
Sure, you have a position in mind and are applying for the same in most companies. However, even if the position is the same, the requirements of every company differ. Therefore, you cannot send a general CV to all companies and expect a callback. Instead, write a CV specific to the company and job requirements. This way, there is a high chance of getting a callback for an interview.
Tip 4: Share the CV on multiple sites
If you are searching for jobs through an online platform, use more than one. Many recruiters are scanning multiple online platforms for the right candidate. Some may use one, while others use a different one. To increase your chances, ensure you post your CV on a few sites, like Jobiser or LinkedIn. Also, make a profile on more than one platform. It will give you a better chance to find a company where you want to work.
Tip 5: Do not use jargon
Using technical jargon never works. Before a senior recruiter or HR sees your resume to give you a callback, an executive or ATS checks the resume. If the CV has many jargon words that they don’t understand, your CV will not be forwarded. So using jargon decreases your chances of being shortlisted, not increasing them.
Tip 6: Use the top space effectively
You no longer need to write ‘resume’ or ‘curriculum vitae’ at the top of the CV. Everyone knows that it’s a CV. Instead, use that space wisely. Use it to write your name, contact number, and email address. Maybe insert a link to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or website. It will impress the recruiter more. Also, when the name is the first thing they see, they can better associate the skills and details with the person.
Tip 7: Remove all irrelevant information
Are you applying for a writer’s position? Then, the recruiter isn’t going to be interested in your stint as a babysitter. So don’t occupy the CV’s space with information unrelated to the job. Rather, write relevant information. The skills and experience that will help you land the job should be there.
Use these tips to enhance your CV. It will open the door to better and multiple opportunities. Moreover, have patience. It takes time, but if your CV and skills are ideal, you will land your dream job. Or at least start with a job that sets you off in the right direction.
