How to Set Your CV Apart

By Robert Odhams founder of CV Trumpet the executive resume CV sending service

Your CV is of course is your ticket to job interviews, but, if you're like most people, your CV can do with improving. I had a phone call very recently that relates to this. The caller asked:

"What's the one thing that I can do to change my CV that will have the most impact."

I said that there's no single "magic bullet" as a truly great CV comes from doing a lot of things right. However, there is one word that 99% of people don't use, but if used properly can have a dramatic effect on the number of interviews you're invited to.

The "magic" word to add to your CV is..... "Achievements".

Here's why...

When writing a CV, for each previous position most people will just use the title "Responsibilities" and just list previous responsibilities.

This is not a bad thing, as some responsibilities should be listed for each position that you have held.

But it is an "average" thing. It makes your CV look pretty much like everyone's CV.

And no hiring manager, company or senior executive wants to hire an "average" candidate.

In all my years as a recruiter, if the CV looked average, the candidate didn't get an interview.

I'd learned that those who made the hiring decision would just reject average-looking CV's. So when screening CV's I'd reject average ones before they even reached the hiring authority.

It's important for me to point out though that just because a CV is average it doesn't mean that a candidate is.

What happens is that CVs are often "responsibility focused" rather than "achievement focused" and can make even a great candidate look average.

So what's the solution...?

1. Under each position title on your CV add the word "Achievements".
2. List 2 to 4 of your achievements in each position BEFORE you list your responsibilities for each position.
3. Achievements come in various shapes and sizes, so here's some pointers to help get you thinking:

• increased revenues
• increased profits
• saved time
• saved money
• found a more efficient way of doing things
• won an award
• organized successful event/product launch/other
• recognized for your contribution
• promoted
• given a bonus

Of course, if you supported an individual or a team that did any of the above, it becomes an achievement for you.

What will be the outcome of changing my CV?

1. Instantly your CV will contain the word "Achievements", which in itself helps recruiters to see you as an achiever, rather than an average candidate.
2. Secondly, it will help you to focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities. A CV which has achievements running right through it will get and hold a recruiter's attention much faster than a CV which just lists responsibilities.
3. If done properly, it will of course lead to more interviews. The one goal of your CV is to get you interviews and so this one change to your CV will help to get you noticed.

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