3 signs your CV needs help from a pro
Rikki Wimmer at TopCV, the largest CV-writing service in the world, explains the signs to look out for that indicate your CV needs some professional help.
Are you ready to dive back into the job-search pool, but feel unsure where to start? Perhaps it’s been a few years since you last applied for a job, or it may be that you simply can’t find the time to spend readying your CV. Whatever it is, a professional CV-writing service may be just what you need to land your next career opportunity.
If you’ve succumbed to any of the following CV blunders, it may be time to speak to a professional.
1. Your CV is too general
If there is one rule you shouldn’t break when it comes to CV writing it is this: Always tailor your CV to the specific job for which you are applying. There is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ in the job market ‒ you need to treat your CV like its only purpose is to land you that one specific role. This means removing irrelevant work experience and tailoring your skills section and personal profile to match the job description. If you haven’t updated your CV in a while, then a professional CV writer is your new best friend.
2. You’re only describing your job
When listing your work experience, your CV shouldn’t read like a collection of job descriptions. Simply listing your duties and responsibilities at your previous roles doesn’t exactly make your CV scream ‘hire me’. Write about the impact you made instead of describing what you did every day. Focus on highlighting your achievements and demonstrating the direct influence you had in shaping the role and the positive effects you made on the company.
This can be a difficult task for many because it often feels uncomfortable to brag about yourself. If you feel this discomfort, you may need a professional CV writer to help you showcase yourself effectively.
3. Your presentation could use a helping hand
If your CV reads like an essay or contains random fonts and spaces, then it’s time for a CV overhaul. In an industry like the legal profession, where good language skills are vital, it’s important that this translates to your CV.
Good presentation is just as much about formatting as it is about content. As a starting point, you need to make sure you’ve covered the basics: Use a standard font and font size (think Calibri or Arial, size 11pt), use headings to separate sections, insert bullet points where possible and avoid putting content in boxes. Once you have the formatting sorted, then you can turn your attention to the content.
Good content means knowing what the recruiter is looking for and adapting your CV to match. It means clear, concise information that demonstrates your abilities and showcases your experience. We know it’s not always easy to write about yourself, so if you’re unsure on how to structure your CV, a professional CV-writing service may be just what you need.
You wouldn’t advise someone to write their own will. CV writing should be left to the professionals as well! Find out more about what TopCV can do for you during your job search.
