Why Candidates Need a Standout CV
It’s hard to overstate the importance of a great CV. No matter which industry you’re in, first impressions count. This is particularly true in the public and not for profit sector, where despite a skills shortage, the selection process is still rigorous.
There is every chance you have the right skills and attitude to impress a potential employer. Unfortunately, you only have one opportunity to translate your talent into a simple, concise document that shouts “I am the one for this role” to a hiring manager or a specialist recruiter.
Since the statistics show that most business leaders only spend a few seconds browsing through applications, it’s a good idea to track down the resources that can help you to convey your value for any given role.
Creating a CV to standout
1. Keep it Short and Sweet
To impress in our sector you need to keep up to date with current trends. For example, competition agenda in the public sector has been replaced by collaboration and partnership working. Using terminology which represents the current political environment, recent legislative changes and the current agenda is key.
2. Customise Your CV for the Job at Hand
Too many professionals move through life assuming that they’ll only need one CV to suit their entire career. While it can be helpful to have a basic template to work from, it’s important to remember that every position you apply for is looking for something different. The more you tailor your application to suit each company, the more likely it is that a hiring manager will pick you as the perfect fit for their role.
Research the company with the help of your specialist consultant, and dissect the details on the specs to get to the bottom of what your potential employer is looking for. That way you can tell stories, highlight skills, and demonstrate abilities that position you as the perfect recruit.
3. Use Keywords (Carefully)
While you’re tailoring your CV to suit the needs of the job you want to apply for, remember to use keywords that might make it easier for a hiring manager to find you. Some organisations work alongside a specialist recruitment agency and assign keywords to a database that helps them to find people whose skills are relevant to the role at hand. This saves them the time and effort of reading through each application manually.
To avoid being passed over, make sure that you pick key terms out of the listing and infuse them into your CV.
4. Show Your Value with Facts and Figure
In a fact-driven industry like finance, great statistics can go a long way towards impressing any potential employer. When listing some of the accomplishments you’ve achieved throughout your career, make sure that you give weight to each outcome by including any appropriate numbers or facts that might impress your new boss.
For instance, demonstrating your measurable improvement in your regulatory inspection or delivering a cost improvement program, increasing value for money or reducing the deficit.
5. Be Wary of Mistakes
Be aware of creative elements like quality writing and good grammar. Long-winded paragraphs can be a mind-numbing frustration for the average hiring manager, so make sure that you format your CV with plenty of white space and short sentences that are easy to read.
At the same time, while you’re looking for readability, double, and then triple-check for any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Companies and recruitment agencies will look for errors on your application, as it can make it easier to narrow down candidate choices. Don’t miss out on the job you want because you’re not willing to re-read what you’ve written.
6. Use a Personal Statement
Finally, when selecting a new employee for their team, some hiring managers look beyond skills and qualifications. With that in mind, it’s worth using a small personal statement to convince the company in question that you are the best person for the job. If there’s not enough room in your CV to include a personal statement, add a customised cover letter instead.
Remember, keep your statement short and concise. Your CV is your chance to impress an organisation and convince them that they should get to know you more. You’ll always have the chance to provide additional details during the interview stage.
Westwood Harris Burns are specialists in Executive Search and Senior Finance appointments within the Public Sector; with particular expertise in NHS, Housing and Charity Sectors. With over 60 years combined experience, we have extensive knowledge of the market, proven track records and established networks, allowing us to provide a wide range of services to both clients and candidates alike.
To learn more about how we can support you to either build your team or career, visit our Get In Touch page.
