How To Get Your CV Shortlisted

Have you been applying for many jobs without success?

The job market is highly competitive right now. You might be under a lot of pressure to write a CV that withstands the scrutiny of employers.

With so many mixed messages out there, it can be even more frustrating to know what employers are really looking for.

In as much as you may feel that the odds are against you, here are a few things to keep in mind that will get your CV shortlisted:

1. Saving the CV

The way you save your CV matters a lot. Some job applicants save the CV as CV only while others save with funny names but it should be saved under your full name the way it appears in your ID for example “Sam Gatua CV” and not Sam Gatua Update or Latest CV.

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2.Contact Information

The basic information that should appear at the top of the CV includes name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Other irrelevant information like the date of birth should be excluded, unless required by the potential employer.

3.Career Profile

Many job applicants use the personal statement in this section but it is good to use a career profile. Introduce by mentioning your profession, the 3 or 4 industries you have worked in. Indicate your expertise by indicating 4 hard skills then conclude by mentioning how you will benefit the organization.

4.Skills

Give the employer exactly what they want in the easiest way possible and not have them struggle to find relevant information. It is important to keep in mind the industry keywords that are relevant to different roles. Avoid softs-skills like multitasking.

5.Education Experience

List education from the latest. Mention the course, the institution, and the year. It is not relevant to mention primary school. Other courses can be mentioned under this section.

6.Professional Experience

Include job purpose statement at the beginning of the experience and make use of the words like managed, steered, coordinated, assisted, and do not use I managed, I coordinated. Ensure that you present your employment history. The essentials in this section include the company name, your title, years you were employed, and a summary (preferably in bullet points) of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Achievement should be indicated in terms of awards, promotions, and trained others. Try as much as possible to quantify your achievements in terms of numbers, concrete performance measures, include metrics or percentages when stating the achievements.

Individuals in entry-level individuals without much experience should include any temporary positions, internships, or volunteer work that emphasize the skills related to the job.

7.Other Relevant experience

Indicate the experience that does not carry a lot of weight for example internship programs, short-term projects, or positions that are not directly related to what you are looking for. Mention the position, company, and year.

8.Other Relevant Training

If you were trained in an area that is relevant to your field of specialization then mention the theme or title of the training, the institution that trained you, and the year.

9. Referees

Some employers may require referees for background checks. Mention the people that you have worked under. Indicate their name, position, organization, location, email, address, and phone number.

Bottom Line

Before submitting your CV, proofread to ensure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatically incorrect sentences. Your resume should be well organized, with uniform font, punctuation, and spacing. Get professionals to review your CV and increase your chances of getting it shortlisted.

Take advantage of our August offer by reaching out to our professional CV writers today!