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What Do Employers Look For In A CV?

By Perminus Wainaina

In any given day I normally review a minimum of 200 CVs. This happens in two ways; in the first instance I have to go through your job application to decide whether you meet the requirements as advertised. If you meet the criteria you will be invited for an interview at our office. During our one –on- one session, I have to go through your CV again to make sure you can perform the duties you’ve indicated that are required by our client, who is a potential employer. If you convince me the duties you’ve outlined are something you can perform then I’ll forward your CV to our client for a second interview.

Whether you are being interviewed by a recruiter like Corporate Staffing or an employer, the process is the same. Someone has to go through your CV to decide whether they should invite you for an interview.

In this article, I will be sharing my expertise on what employers look for in a CV.

1. Consider Relevant Work Experience
The first thing that will be of an interest to an employer or a recruiter is relevant work experience. An employer will be curious to see whether your current or past work experience matches their requirement. Relevant experience refers to any hands on experience similar to what you are applying. If it is a retail job, do you have people skills, cash handling experience? What personal or professional attributes do you have that relates to the job you are applying for. The majority of people that do not have actual experience in a certain field they are applying for and get hired is because of how well the impressed the interviewer. Research the company you are applying with and what they do and compare what they do to what you have done.

Majority of employers prefer hiring candidates with proven experience for the simple reason that it saves them time and money hence this is the most popular section of your CV. For example, an NGO looking to hire an accountant will be interested in interviewing candidates with an NGO background. A company selling drinking soda or other FMCG products will equally be interested with sales and marketing professionals from the FMCG industry. There’s always an exception to this rule and the job description should act as a guide. As a rule, if you do not meet 70% of the requirements, do not bother applying.

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2, How Long Have You Worked In Your Present Job
The duration of employment with current and previous employers is a determinant on whether you will get an interview. Majority of employers will not touch you if you have worked for less than a year with your current employer. For those with less than three years experience, it is expected that you’ll have changed employers as you try to settle after college. If you have more than five years experience, you better have a good reason why you keep changing jobs every so often.

These days, employers consider three years as an ideal minimum time to work for an organization. Although it’s not always the case, employers perceive job seekers who’ve stayed longer with a company as being loyal. With experience, employers are also interested with the level. You shouldn’t be over or under experienced. Have you ever had tea that has too much or little sugar? Think about that when assessing your experience and how it fits an employer.

Having confirmed that you have the relevant experience and that you don’t change jobs as often, the next step is to evaluate your academic and professional qualifications. If you have the skills and can do the job, an employer will be checking whether you meet the minimum education and professional qualifications. If I am recruiting an Office Admin and I have three candidates who can do the job but one has a diploma, the second one a Bachelor’s and the third one has a Master’s. There’s a high chance that I will either choose the diploma or bachelors holder. Sometimes your level of education can knock you off the list. Just like those who are over or under experienced, too many certificates or lack off can deny you an opportunity. Could it be the reason why some of you with masters, MBA or any other graduate degree conveniently forget to indicate the same on your CV?

3. Who Do You Work For?
At times, it matters where you work. We all want to work with famous companies, the likes of Safaricom, UN, Citibank, Nation Media, PwC and other leading organizations. Employers especially SME’s are always fascinated with employees from known brands and will always invite you for an interview. Although later on they will start badmouthing you saying that you are pampered and spoon-fed. If they are to admit, those who work for multinationals, big brands and well known companies will tell you that all the glitters is not gold. But such is life.

Unlike majority of small firms that don’t have a business strategy and are not clear on their staffing expectations, big firms are open to hiring anyone so long as you’ll help them meet their objectives. If they want to maintain the status quo they will prefer candidates from an equal competitor. If they want someone hungry to prove themselves then someone from an SME fits the bill.

If an employer is satisfied with the above he or she will start getting into details. Most likely the person short listing will not reject your application at this stage but will form a negative opinion if your CV has some shortcomings. For example if your CV is not well organized and is full of typos or has irrelevant information like your ID number, tribe and driving license number (unless it’s a requirement). When it comes to your CV you only have one chance to make a positive impression. Your CV should make me have confidence not only in your ability to perform the tasks but also paint a good picture of you.

At this stage additional information on your CV like having achievements can propel you to the next stage much faster. Other details including evidence of leadership skills or other soft skills relevant for the job will always make the person short listing eager to meet you.

The above advice is applicable whenever you are applying for competitive posts. The good thing is, whatever I have pointed out is within your power so start editing your CV now if your job application is to be a success.

Perminus Wainaina is the Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services Ltd. Email. Perminus@corporatestaffing.co.ke.

29 Comments

  1. Great work Mr Wainaina. That is why i keep it corporate staffing for the latest ‘sharpening’ job market information.
    Much blessings

  2. hae am calisto ghai,how can I indicate the former salary and the exepected one when authorised by the advertising firm to indicate it on my cv…

  3. Hi, i have been applying for jobs but i get no response and i have also sent you my cv. May you review my cv and advice me where possible. This has made me become desperate please help me secure a job.

  4. Hi i have been employed in a certain company for Thirteen years but i feel that the salary is to small for the years i have been to this place and am feeling tired of this place because there is no growth in this place and i need a better place

  5. Comment
    Hello, Boaz had a good question. Am an example of his question. You gave a good answer. My question is, how do I get the experience?

  6. Hi Zachariah,

    You do have a chance of getting jobs, but the jobs you apply for should be those you are qualified. Jobs that may require 3 months experience for example. You could have gotten this experience from the industrial attachment. Other than that, as a fresh graduate you will need to focus on gaining the experience first.

  7. Hello Boaz,

    Without experience, being shortlisted for an interview will be almost impossible. If you have all other requirements, focus on getting the experience first.

  8. Hello Juliet,

    Have you considered talking one on one with a career coach? It will help you understand what employers in Kenya are currently looking for and also guide you in the best way to apply for jobs and handle interviews. You can talk to one of ours by emailing melody@corporatestaffing.co.ke

  9. Thank you for your post above. What advise would you give people who have taken a career break and want to go back to formal employment?

  10. 1. Any career gaps (period without formal employment) in one’s CV should be explained

    2. Reasons for change of jobs also need to be convincingly highlighted, especially jobs calling for high integrity behaviour, e.g. Accounting, Procurement, e.t.c.

    3. Reporting structure is also key if highlighted in one’s CV, e.g. Head of Human Resources reporting to CEO is different from same position reporting to General Manager – Support Services

    4. If a management position, number of staff managed could be a competitive advantage or key prerequisite

  11. hi carol…i share the same sentiments with you…..i guess we should create jobs now…being employed isnt working….

  12. So how can someone get experience if that’s the case, because it means that fresh graduates have no place in the job market, where then is the experience expected to come from? I think this is all leading us to the normal disease of corruption.

  13. Sorry people, but there is no such thing as CV. These days you just have to know the RIGHT people.Period. Tell me other wise then you are living in denial or a make believe world.

  14. what about they that have no experience in the field applied though it’s their area of speciality and have attained every other requirements needed

  15. Do you imply that fresh graduates with no experience do not have any chance of getting a job? I am a fresh graduate and I think

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