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.
