If you really want to impress a recruiter, you need to ensure your CV is tailored to the position you’re applying for. Here are three ways to do it.
When you’re applying for a job, your CV is one of the first things a recruiter will look at, and it can make or break your chances of getting an interview. It’s not enough to create a stock-standard resume and leave it as that. To be truly effective, your CV needs to be targeted specifically to the role you’re applying for.
This may sound like a challenging task, but it can actually be quite simple if you understand what you’re trying to achieve. Here are three ways you can tailor your CV so it reads like the answer to the IT recruiter’s prayers.
1. Hunt for hints in the ad
No matter how cryptic it may seem, every job ad is littered with hints that can tell you exactly what the employer is looking for, if you know how to find them. Before you begin applying for any vacancy, carefully read through the listing several times and make a note of all the phrases that jump out at you. The resulting list is essentially a description of the ideal candidate for the role, so now all you have to do is show the reader why you’re it. By carefully incorporating these keywords into your CV, you can not only demonstrate that you’ve paid attention to the ad, but highlight the ways in which you are a good fit for the position.
2. Match up your personal summary and career objective
Your objective and personal summary are one of the first things a recruiter will see on your CV, so tailoring them is an easy way to ensure you address the requirements of the vacancy right off the bat. Phrase your objective to make it apparent that the position in question is the answer to achieving your career goals. Likewise, use your personal summary to highlight all the qualities that make you a good candidate in an easy-to-read bulleted list.
3. Highlight what’s relevant
Lastly, make sure you put the information relevant to the role in the most visible position, rather than letting it get hidden by irrelevant experience. Look at the requirements of the vacancy and rearrange your resume until the most important experience, skills and qualifications you have stand out above the rest.
Now that you know how to tailor you resume, you can easily take a general CV and turn it into exactly what the recruiter is looking for. To find out more about how we can help you develop your IT career, contact Talent today.