The purpose of your CV is to get you to interview. Nothing more, nothing less. Many job seekers start their job search by writing their CV first – before they even know what role they want to target. It always amazes me how easy it is to stand out from the rest of the job seekers by spending time on a well-thought out and written CV. Here are 11 ways for you to get your CV to stand out from the crowd and maximize your chances of getting invited to interview.

1. Find out who the hiring manager is

The best way to not get your CV read is to send it to the wrong person. Before you send your CV ring up the agent or company and find out who the hiring manager is, and let them know your CV is on the way to them.

2. Write a covering letter matching your skills & achievements to requirements of the role

The purpose of a covering letter is to get your CV read… The best way to do this is set up a table and in the first column list one-by-one the key skills, experiences required by the role – then in the next column show how you meet these criteria.

You are looking for… degree essential & professional marketing qualifications

How I meet these criteria… Graduated from xxx university with a 2:1, and achieved my CIM in 2007

3. Ring up hiring manager or agent and find out more about role

A job advert will only tell you so much about a role. Ring up the hiring manager – or agent, and find out more about the role. E.g. what are the key skills and experiences wanted by the hiring company? Only when you have a role description for the role, can you truly match your capabilities to the demands of the role

4. Be succinct and to the point

Recruiters do not have time to read a long CV. Anything over 2 pages is too long, and will provide too much unnecessary information that will not get read.

5. Tailor CV to role applying for

Find out what the company’s top 5 ‘hiring’ criteria for the role are. Make sure your CV demonstrates succinctly that you have the skills and capability to meet these hiring criteria

6. Highlight your quantified and relevant achievements

Companies want to hire successful people. So make sure you showcase your achievements on your CV.

7. Consider using a functional CV

If you have changed companies frequently, or considering a career change, large gaps when you have been unemployed or been with your current employers for a long period of time – use a functional CV. A functional CV is where you showcase your key skills rather than employment history.

8. Think about keywords

Many recruiters electronically filter CVs by keyword. Use a ‘profile section’ and ‘core skills’ on the front page to increase your keyword count on the 1st page of your CV. If you are posting your CV on an internet board, your keyword count will be vital to your CV being ‘found’ by a recruiter.

9. Consider sending a CV through the post

Many recruiters use an electronic recruitment process for a reason – and so you need to comply with their process. However, many job adverts don’t stipulate how you should apply. As many hiring managers are used to receiving CVs via e-mail, a good quality paper copy sent through the post may get more attention than an e-mailed CV.

10. Re-post your CV weekly

Many recruiters only look at CVs which have been posted on an internet board in the last 14-21 days. Each week re-post your CV on the internet boards… simple!

11. What messages does your CV say about you?

Ask someone you trust to take a look at your CV, and tell you what key messages hits them when they look at your CV. If your CV just comes across as a mass of text, then you need a re-write!

The Efficiency Coach specializes in working with professional services firms – helping both the firm and the individuals achieve more for their time, effort and money. Why not have take a look at our website – http://www.theefficiencycoach.co.uk, or read our blog for more ideas and inspiration on how to achieve more – http://www.theefficiencycoach.co.uk/blog.