When a good CV becomes great
Sometime when I’m asked what makes a good written CV, I frequently respond that it’s all about self-interest. And when I’m asked what’s the best time, my response is always the same. You need to make an investment. Get help if you can’t face the journey alone although remember that the best time to create a CV is when you don’t really need it.
I recognise that by now a few readers are already wincing at the prospect of facing up to the challenge. It’s bad enough writing about yourself and reading what you’ve already written is twice the pain. I get that it’s tedious although the investment is worth it. All too often, I read CVs that somehow lose their way mid-flow. Far too much repetition and no obvious storyline or thread. Having been on the other side, I share your pain. This is not an easy task, although trust me, sometimes a blank sheet of paper is the best starting point. And yes that means you despite your 25 years of experience.
Truthfulness and accuracy are vital, although remember not to focus on work areas or sectors that you simply don’t want to repeat. It’s important to remember that your CV is about where you want to go as much as where you’ve been, so it is a good idea to keep this in mind at every opportunity. Please try to enjoy the process. If it feels like a chore then that may just leak into what you’re creating. And perhaps that’s the clue, if the task is boring the result may be a boring CV. So, where have we got to?
If you’re working on this alone, then my advice is to begin with how you describe your current job to someone new and preferably in a relaxed conversational setting (maybe over dinner or enjoying a cuppa). Think about your organisation and how you describe it, as well as the tasks you complete and your strengths that make success a reality. The benefits are exceptional because the language and style (your storytelling) will be so much less stuffy and oh much more engaging!
Achievements are critical to any CV although remember not to duplicate. In other words, if something which you are proud of makes it to the achievements section, then resist the temptation to reproduce it word for word in the relevant employment section. Although it’s not essential to use the heading Recent Achievements, I recommend thinking “recent” when you begin your summary. I absolutely get that you’re proud of your sporting achievements but are they still relevant?
Now let’s get back to “self-interest” and investment. All too often I hear that a revitalised CV is needed although the owner is too busy to do much more than add the most recent role to an already crowded page. Put simply, this isn’t going to give you the best opportunity for success. Remember to make time for yourself and if you don’t have time, then enlist help from others who do.
There’s more on my website to help you November 2021, CVs Past Present and Future, July 2020, Great Story, Great CV, Great Performance. Time to look back through some of my previous posts perhaps? Remember this is your opportunity to shine – be colourful and avoid beige.
It’s time to consider the reader (your audience) because if they don’t readily understand what you’ve written then it’s a missed opportunity. And if the first review is by someone you hope will broker your next assignment or new role, then it’s vital that they “get you” first time around. A few basic principles to remember are that white space sells, spelling does matter (use spellchecker or find a proof reader) to avoid any misunderstanding.
If your preferred medium is video or spoken word, then as well as adopting the above principles, you’ll need to make sure there’s an acceptable method of transmission. Not all potential employers are geared up to accepting anything other than a written CV. I suspect that this is changing over time but please be prepared for the inevitable disappointment and the opportunity to lobby.
Here are this year’s top tips to make your CV great:
· First things first – you’re amazing, remember?
· Invest some time in yourself and your CV
· Write in everyday language – avoid jargon
· Focus on what you want to do as well as what you’ve done
· Consider and engage your audience
· Avoid over-crowding each page (if written)
