mpting to secure job interviews that will change their employment status and land them their dream job. Unfortunately, some job seekers never hear back from recruiters because their CVs do not stand out to recruiters. Fifi Sali, HR executive at Vuma, shares insightful tips and tricks for compiling a CV that can better your chances of landing a job. A good approach is to understand that standing out is about having a personal brand – how you market yourself and create an impression is critical.
Fifi shared her “Five B’s of Personal Branding” to help your next job application make a lasting impression:
- Be Entrepreneurial
Recruiters will be swayed by a candidate who understands the vision of the business and sees the bigger picture.
Imagine if this was your business and what you would change to make the business more successful. This kind of entrepreneurial approach shows initiative and is a good showcase for proactive, creative thinking.
Research the company and understand their strategic objectives. How does the role you are applying for feed into their objectives? When you outline the organisation’s goals and how you will help them achieve them, the recruiter is likely to start thinking you are the only person who can get them there.
In the interview, don’t be afraid to go further and suggest possible opportunities or ideas for the business. What are their challenges? Who are their competitors? If you have good ideas, the recruiter will believe that you are someone who can be an asset leading into the future.
- Be Authentic
Many applicants adopt the ‘shotgun’ method – aim for everything and hope something lands! This is generally considered to be a poor approach, as recruiters often sense the lack of effort in each application.
I recommend carefully crafting each unique application. Start with a relevant and personalised motivation letter, by carefully aligning your career path, skills and experience with the organisation and the role. Be human and authentic in your motivation letter. The person reading this letter is also human, and is looking to hire a person, not a CV.
In the interview, remember to be yourself and ask what’s important. You are also interviewing this firm to see if they’re a fit for you. Interviewers will respect that you understand yourself well enough to know your boundaries.
- Be Original
For recruiters, it can often be a challenge to separate candidates because so many phrases and claims are common. For example, most candidates will claim to be hard working and loyal. This isn’t likely to be a strong differentiator.
I recommend looking for ways to express yourself in an original way. Be open about your challenges – this shows the recruiter that you are self-aware and understand where you want to develop yourself. Don’t say you work well in a team if you don’t – there is nothing wrong with having a preference. Every candidate is willing to put in extra effort – not everyone is willing to be open to failure and learning from their mistakes.
If you’ve had an interview, follow up with a handwritten note to the interview to thank for them their time. This is sure to be a new experience for them.
- Be Personal
Recruiters are also sometimes interested in the story behind the person. Not your complete life story, but how your story relates to the role. What experience do you have that makes you the right person? What challenges did you learn from that now position you to successfully fill this role?
Many positions are advertised on LinkedIn by a specific individual. What can you learn about that person to tailor your application to their preferences? Do some research (not online stalking) and find out what might resonate with that individual. Are they passionate about innovation or social change? How can you speak to a shared vision?
When you walk into an interview knowing something about your interviewer (like their favorite business influencer or passion) you are very likely to build a rapport with them.
- Be Concise & Precise
In the competitive job market, applicants often face intense competition, as many jobs receive a flood of applications within minutes. This increased volume of applicants can make it challenging for eligible candidates to stand out. To make a strong impression, job seekers should focus on creating well-structured and appealing CVs. Using tools like as IntelligenceCV and Jobscan can help candidates craft detailed and easily readable CVs. The accessibility of the internet, particularly through uncapped fibre connections, empowers job seekers to continuously update their CVs and acquire new skills, enhancing their attractiveness to potential employers.
Inaccurate information on CVs creates challenges for recruiters in contacting candidates or providing feedback. To increase your chances of securing an interview, it’s essential to verify the accuracy of all details, such as your name, phone number, and address. Additionally, paying attention to spelling and grammar is crucial.
Here are other vital tips to ensure your CV stands out and makes the shortlist:
Have contactable references
Do not ignore this aspect of your CV as some hiring managers may consider it incomplete. Ensure that the names and phone numbers of your references are accurate and seek their permission before listing them. Don’t add a reference if you don’t know what they will say about you. However, don’t also assume that the hiring manager won’t call the company directly and ask to be referred to someone you haven’t listed. Over the years, I’ve heard people mention that they call their previous employers and pose as hiring managers to hear what they have to say about them. This is a valuable tactic.
Highlight skills and competencies
This is one of the most crucial parts of your CV, where you show your potential employer what they could ask you to do – today. It is crucial to add your educational background, starting with the highest qualification you have obtained and a subject summary. Be sure to incorporate relevant training and skills for the job. When detailing your work experience, start with your most recent and distinctly list the companies you have previously worked for. Include your job titles, duration, role and responsibilities, and your achievements.
No one is left behind
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