If you've been facing more rejection than call interviews in your job search, it might be time to give your resume a closer look.
Recruiters review hundreds of applications daily, aiming to find the ideal candidate, with tight deadlines that make it impossible for them to go through CVs one by one, and there's your resume, trying to stand out and show why you're the perfect fit for that position. That's why it's crucial to grab their interest from the start by giving them exactly what they're looking for.
Here are 6 hacks to enhance your CV and increase your chances of getting hired:
Keep it simple.
According to studies, recruiters typically spend just seven seconds reviewing a CV since you have only that brief window to capture their attention. Ensure your resume is:
- Easy to read: Use short paragraphs, white spaces, and professional fonts like Arial or Robotto.
- Well-designed: Consider colors that resonate with your professional image, creating a visual impression. To simplify this process, you can use pre-designed templates available online.
Improve the Top Quarter.
The initial section of your CV should instantly make you stand out as the ideal candidate. Place your top skills near your name and craft a compelling summary of your professional experience.
Tip: Research your target job to extract the most demanded skills so you can highlight them in your CV.
Optimize for All Devices.
Recruiters often view CVs on mobile devices. Make sure yours is optimized, weight-compressed, and mobile-friendly. We recommend saving it in a universal format like a .pdf.
Use Key Words
Include relevant keywords to make your CV easily discoverable by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Some ideas to find these keywords are:
- Review job listings and create a list with the main keywords.
- Search for your industry-specific keywords online.
- Use a free ATS to scan your resume.
Focus on Results Over Responsibilities.
When detailing your past roles, emphasize your achievements and their impact on the company. Highlighting results is more engaging for employers and shows you're proactive and capable.
Tailor Your Resume.
If your experience spans various roles, customize your CV for each application. Focus on highlighting skills relevant to each specific job, showcasing expertise tailored to the role's requirements.
For instance, if you have experience as a designer, community manager, and content creator, create distinct CVs for each area of expertise.
Navigating a job search can be challenging, but with these tips, you can enhance your chances of landing your dream job.
