Is your CV stopping you getting invited to interview?
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It’s easy to get disheartened when you apply for a move or promotion but don’t make it through to the interview stage. However, if it happens it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not a suitable candidate for the role – it may just be that the recruiter/interviewer can’t see past your CV.
What you have to bear in mind is that not only is your CV competing for attention with every other applicant for the role, you’re competing for time against the reader’s day-to-day responsibilities. What that often distills down to is that when you submit a CV for consideration the best you can expect is two minutes of the reader’s attention, and often you may get as little as 30 seconds.
When you look at it like that, it’s easy to see how even the best candidates get filtered out of the process.
So, what can you do?
Your CV should be a sales document tailored to the recipient which you can read in less than two minutes. If it isn’t, take the time to change it.
What you have to bear in mind is that not only is your CV competing for attention with every other applicant for the role, you’re competing for time against the reader’s day-to-day responsibilities. What that often distills down to is that when you submit a CV for consideration the best you can expect is two minutes of the reader’s attention, and often you may get as little as 30 seconds.
When you look at it like that, it’s easy to see how even the best candidates get filtered out of the process.
So, what can you do?
- Be honest with yourself. The first question you have to ask yourself is whether your CV is interesting. For example, is it bland to read or is it full of interesting, tangible things you’ve achieved which prove you deliver well and have achieved some strong outcomes? The CVs which perform best are those which demonstrate interesting and valuable things the candidate has achieved and the impact they have had on the business – write with that in mind.
- Take the time to understand what they’re looking for. One of the most powerful things you can do before applying for a role is to call the person doing the interviews and find out what they’re looking for. Most interviewers are willing to field calls from prospective applicants, yet a very small percentage of people actually make the call. If you do, not only can you make sure you’re a fit for what they’re looking for – you immediately raise your profile and stand out above the other applicants.
- Be the best fit. Once you know the type of person the interviewer is looking for, take the time to make sure your CV matches you with those skills, attributes and accomplishments. Remember you’re one of maybe 20+ people applying for the role so you need to tailor your CV into a genuine sales document geared towards the person reading it.
- Write a two minute CV. If you sat down and read your CV, can you get through the pertinent information in less than two minutes? More importantly, can someone who doesn’t know you get through your CV in less than two minutes? If you go that extra mile and find someone to read your CV, not only can you time them but you’ll have a great opportunity to find out the key things they took away from your CV and make sure they align with what the interviewer is looking for.
- Don’t send a cold CV. Before you send your CV, ask yourself whether the person reviewing it will know you – either directly or by reputation. If they don’t, take the time to address that. Perhaps there are people who know you that also know them? Or perhaps you can go and meet the in person to discuss the role more before applying? Whatever route you take, you’ll find the interviewer looks more favorably on the CVs of people they know and think positively of.
Your CV should be a sales document tailored to the recipient which you can read in less than two minutes. If it isn’t, take the time to change it.