How to craft your CV post Covid-19

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  – By Softest Team (LinkedIn)

If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it is probably how to redefine our workforce and reshape the way things function in the business ecosystem.Refinements are being made to deal with the unexpected changes coming our way.

As for all the jobseekers, the ones that have been laid off as well as the fresh graduates, there is an ever increasing need to make their CV stand out, owing to the mass applications that recruiters have been receiving.

 

Following tips will help you make your CV stand out :

1. Have an attractive layout :

Think of your CV as a sales pitch, it has to be clear, concise.It is a document to quickly make the employer understand your capabilities while making a strong first impression. 

• The F Layout – A good example in CV Layouts is the F layout, as shown in the picture below :

This F pattern mimics how our eyes tend to glance information given (in the letter F format ) in your CV.

Things to keep in mind while making the F Layout :

• Write the most important aspects of your CV first, such as the resume summary statement/objective, with enticing keywords.
• Format the sections of the CV using Bold or a different text.
• Use bullet points or headers wherever possible.

 

 

Video Resume :

With the rising popularity of innovative templates available online, it is easy to create an innovative CV. However, a video CV helps break the clutter too. According to research by Jobvite, 84% of recruiters are currently adapting their hiring processes to facilitate remote exchanges. A video CV plays a huge role in differentiating the presentation style.

What is a video CV?

• It is your professional and personal presentation made to say a few words about yourself to make a bright, strong impression in the eyes of the employer.

 

2. Customize your Summary Statement / Objective :

If the industry you were previously working with is hard hit by the pandemic, and if you are considering changingyour industry, realign your summary/objective keeping in mind the industry you want to shift into.

Example : Imagineyou were previously working in thetravel industry, but are now considering to shift to the digital marketing industry.You could mention how you have previously handled the social media handles of the travel industry you were working with and how you see your future in a digital marketing industry.

 

 

3. Highlight your skills :

With employers receiving mass applications, one of the most important things that can stand out in your CV is the skills section. Many candidates have upskilled themselves with various certifications, learnt a new skill, or mastered an existing skill.

Make sure this list contains not a very long and broad list of skills, but specific, targeted skills of the job that you are applying to.

This could further be broken down to

• Professional skills : Professional skills include the hard skills, the specific tools, the kind of software that you can use, applications you are well versed with. For example : Python, Unix, Java, or Jira.
• Personal skills : Personal skills or soft skills are those which help you enhance your interaction with others. For example : Problem Solving skills, Communication skills, Critical Thinking skills, etc.

 

 

4. Use easy-to-read fonts :

• Font Type : In order to make your CV clear, use fonts like Arial, Verdana or Helvetica to maintain a professional theme.
• Font size : The ideal font size for a CV should be around 12. Too bigand it might result to distraction.

 

 

5. Provide an overview of your past experience :

Often we juggle around with paragraphs to explain what our past experience was. Instead, list your jobs in chronological order, with the latest first, mentioning your company name and your title in bold, while also using a bulleted form to explain what you have done in one or two lines.

 

 

6. Analyse the job description :

The job description for the job you are applying for contains vital information regarding the company, the roles and responsibilities of the job, skills required, etc. Therefore, it’s critical for the job seeker to analyse it thoroughly. Look for keywords that the employer has mentioned under the ‘’requirements’’ section.

For example : If the employer has mentioned ‘’excellent coding skills’’ under requirements, you can then mention how you were able to play key roles inx number of software applications using specific languages to perform specific tasks within the specific time frame.

 

 

7. Show your impact :

To prove you are worthy of the role you are applying to, make sure to explain what you can bring to the table for the company. As already mentioned, as a job seeker, not only you have to highlight your skills in the domain, but also communicate the way your unique approach/accomplishments have helped your employer in the past. This can be done with the help of statistical proof, metrics such as growth percentages, profitability, etc.

 

 

8. Mention Live Projects/ Volunteering Activities :

With the current crisis, and the mass loss of jobs, jobseekers have switched to working on themselves. Be it publishing a blog, or learning a new language such as Java, or even freelancing for a firm on a project basis. Understand what the job description demands, and accordingly mention your hands-on, practical experience working on things during the pandemic, relevant to the role that they are looking for to increase your probability of getting selected.

 

 

9. Use visual breaks :

With the use of Headings, between different sections such as ‘Educational qualifications’, ‘Experience’, you should create white space which makes it less cluttered and easier to glance through.

 

 

10. Research the company :

Creating your resume might be one part of the job hunt, the other crucial part is to do a quick and thorough research of the company that you are applying for.

Glancing through their official website, readingthe ‘About Us’ section, and even reading their LinkedIn Business Page is a great way to get a better understanding of the company culture and communicating with the employer.

 

 

11. Customize your resume :

As we are heading towards a more technological world, employers are changing the way they function. Many of them use ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to filter resumes required for a specific role. As mentioned, it helps weed out the applications based on specific keywords related to a role.

Want to learn more about an ATS Compliant CV? Click here.

Tailoring your resume with the relevant keywords as well as the overall layout goes a long way to help differentiate your application.

For example: A role for a graphic designer would require a colourful, creative CV as opposed toa customer service role which would require simple chronological CV.

Lastly, do not be restricted to just your CV, it is equally important to have an updated LinkedIn profile.

 

 

Make sure that your LinkedIn Profile has :

• A professional profile picture
• A well written bio explaining your role and interests
• Updated information on your past experience.

 

For more tips related to cracking interviews, check out this blog.