Seven tips for a successful CV: How to stand out from the competition?
As you embark on the search for your new permanent, contract or interim job, it is essential to keep your CV up to date and make it stand out from the competition in the saturated marketing and communications environment.
Due to the volume of candidates, many recruiters and employers can only spend a few moments scanning each CV, so here are our top tips to secure that all-important interview.
Keep it brief
A CV should be no more than two pages of A4. This means that you should keep it concise, relevant and to the point and leave the more elaborate details for the interview.
Remember that presentation is key
Just because you have a limited space to talk about all your academic and professional achievements, it doesn’t mean that you have to utilize every line for text. Bullet points, short sentences, and good use of whitespace can make the layout easy on the eye, enabling the reader to absorb the information quicker.
Think about your personal statement
Your personal statement is the first thing the recruiter sees on your CV! Make sure to use this opportunity to explain why you are the best-suited person for the role and entice them to read on. Keep it as short and succinct as possible – four or five lines of text is enough.
Make it keyword-friendly
You should always bear in mind the keywords, based both on your experience and the job description. Depending on the position, the recruiter may be looking for phrases such as internal, external, or corporate communications, investor relations, public affairs, or digital marketing.
Tailor the CV for each job
Unfortunately, your CV is not a one-size-fits-all. So, take time to alter your resume in line with the role you are applying for by researching the company and using the job advert to work out the right skills and qualifications, and then emphasise them.
Use proactive description
It’s not enough to talk about your communications and marketing skills – you need to back it up with achievements and numbers. To provide examples for every skill, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model to describe how you achieved the result and how your actions address the situation and task. For example, when talking about the social media strategy, don’t just say what channels you worked on; emphasise the results i.e., “increased the social media engagements by 30% in six months period.”
Proofread to avoid errors
To ensure common grammar mistakes or typos aren’t holding you back, always read your CV thoroughly before submitting it, use a spell-checker or ask a friend to proofread it for you.
It takes on average just eight seconds to save or reject an applicant’s CV, so you need to make sure it’s concise and relevant to secure your new permanent, contract or interim position. Our team of specialist consultants can help make your CV relevant and concise to ensure that you stay on top of the newest opportunities within communications, digital and marketing. Don't hesitate and get in touch with us today!
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VMAGROUP is a leading international interim, contract, temporary and permanent recruitment and executive search specialist. We are specifically focused on providing support to the communications, digital and marketing communities.
Our specialist practice areas cover: communications, corporate communications, internal communications, change communications, PR, media relations, financial communications, CSR, public affairs, investor relations, marketing, digital marketing and agency services.
We have a reputation for providing expert consultancy services and advice, supported by in-depth knowledge of the professions we recruit for. Our thought leadership and benchmarking studies have become go-to resources for the communications and marketing industry, supporting planning and decision-making for organisations of all shapes and sizes.
In the UK, VMAGROUP has offices in London and Manchester and in Europe, VMAGROUP has offices in Amsterdam and Brussels, but we work with organisations and individuals on a global basis.
VMAGROUP is committed to equal opportunities and is a Diversity Pledged Recruiter.