Top of my list of recommendations for job seekers is to tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. People generally sigh when I say this as it means they have to put in more effort. I would strongly recommend taking the time to do a small number of applications well instead of sending out the same generic CV to everyone. The more you can prove to the employer that you have the skills and experience they are looking for the more convincing a candidate you will be.
So what exactly is involved in tailoring your CV?
Tailoring your CV is effectively a matching exercise. You are making it easy for an employer to see exactly how your work and education history matches up to what they are looking for in their ideal candidate.
To do this, examine the job advert in detail and pick out the key skills and experience the employer is searching for. Next think about how you fit these criteria using examples from your work, hobbies, home life, travelling or volunteering experience. Then section by section highlight how you meet the key criteria as you customise each part of your CV proving how you meet their stated selection criteria.
Keep a clear and consistent layout which makes it easy for the recruiter to read. Recruiters receive hundreds of applications from hopefuls and will only skim them initially when deciding to progress or reject your application, so make it simple for them to find the information they are looking for.
