7 to 127 seconds is not long enough for someone to conduct a considered interpretation of your experience and turn it into argument for placing you in a role. It falls to you as the CV writer to do that thinking for them by presenting the most relevant information in a way that suggests how helpful the experience, abilities, and knowledge you have will be in the role. When you do this effectively, the reader can quickly see how you fit the role and organisation, hopefully leading to an interview.

But how?! There are 6 strategies you should know about when making your next application:

Clear Format  
Have a consistent format with clear font such as Calibri (sans serif) or Times New Roman (serif) in an easy to read size like 11 or 12, and aim to not crowd your page. Empty space in between sections makes for easier scanning and identification of key details.

Useful Contact Details  
A great resume is no good if the reader can’t contact you! Include your mobile, email, and linkedin URL if you have one. (If you don’t have one, look for a previous blog on why LinkedIn helps in your job search). Full addresses are no longer required on CVs.

Gripping Headline  
Similar to a Linkedin Headline, offering a short tagline that sums up your career brand will set the tone for the reader. It also adds key words related to the role to your document which will encourage applicant tracking systems to select your resume for further review. This feature can be situated under your name, separate from your contact details, and above your profile.

Tailor Your Personal Profile  
When done well, a profile serves as a the best introduction you could give. Like meeting your future employer for the first time with a super polished opening line. A quality profile includes what you have done, the skills you gained, and how they will be applied to their specific role.

E.g. Customer Service professional with over 10 years’ experience ensuring positive client experiences through the application of intuitive problem solving, people, and organisation skills. Seeking to join your busy customer facing team where my technical abilities and a positive attitude will enable me to be successful in your role.  

Key Competencies & Skills
Having a section dedicated to your demonstrated and developed skills shows the reader what you can do, rather than relying on the reader to identify these skills peppered throughout the resume. Your experience statements will then reinforce the skills you have already point out, and focus the reader on what makes you suitable for the role. Remember, resumes (and cover letters) are about what you can do for the employer, and not the other way around.

Experience Statements
These are the dot points you may (should) have under each role in your work experience. One way to do this is as a list of responsibilities and achievements.These could  serve double duty by displaying HOW you accomplished them. Think of it this way: if there were 5 different people all doing the exact same work as you, what would make your work different from theirs? It’s the WAY that you go about your work that makes you different, and will inform the reader in how your approach to tasks will suit the role.

Example 1: Receptionist

• Greeted clients
• Showed to rooms
• Cleared rooms

Example 2: Receptionist

• Demonstrated strong customer service skills in greeting up to 20 clients per day
• Informed employees and politely showed guests to meeting rooms
• Cleared rooms of tea and coffee in a timely and neat manner to ensure guest comfort and turnaround of the rooms

I hope these tips have given you some ideas on how to add to your resume and get your message across to the employer, and pass the 7 second test! More help is available through Selection Partners Career Coaching. For more information, give us a call at the office! 0398328100

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment; you have over 50 applicants to the job ad, you need to review and shortlist these as efficiently as possible. When you have that many CV’s to review would you be more likely to review the ones that have mismatch font and are plain black and white or the ones that are formatted beautifully and have colour to draw your eye and grab your attention?  In a stack of documents what gets your attention more? Take this into consideration when you are formatting your CV.

We recommend that you utilise the following guidelines to create and format your CV:

• Colour: Use colours but don’t go too crazy. Keep it simple with one or two colours (these can be your favourite colours to show some of your personality).

• Fonts: Choose complementary fonts but don’t use too many different fonts (keep it to 2 or 3). Don’t use any fonts that are too hard to read or too busy.

• Spacing: Don’t bunch up your text—you want your CV to be easy to read, so the reader can tell where one job starts and the other begins. 

• Consistency: Keep the same layout and formatting throughout the document—that is if you use one type of font for your subheading “PROFILE” then use the same font and size for all other subheadings.

• Tailor it to the role: Highlight your relevant experience to that specific position. This is an essential point to demonstrate why you are suitable. Place this clearly on the first page to allow the reader to quickly see your suitability and see that you have taken the time to read the job ad or position description. This means subtle but important changes to each CV you send to a job application. Your name: Make your name large and incorporate colour, so it stands out. Repeat your name in the footer or header on each page, so your details are easily found.

• File name: Save your CV document with an appropriate name “Jane Smith – CV” if your name is in the document file name it makes it easy to identify you.

Remember to check your spelling and punctuation. You don’t need to make it too long. You want it to showcase your skills however you don’t want to make it too hard to read.  Ensure you are consistent throughout your CV and keep it simple.

Good luck!

We also offer CV formatting services and coaching! Contact us on 03 9832 8100 for further information.

 Written By Desiree