What CV will convince a recruiter? Learn 5 ways!
Include only true information
An experienced recruiter can easily check the actual level of language proficiency, declared education, scope of responsibilities or degree of involvement in the implementation of projects with previous employers. There are no perfect candidates, so certain gaps in experience or skills do not have to doom to failure. It is important that the information in the CV is consistent with that provided on social media profiles (LinkedIn, GoldenLine). It is definitely better to focus on emphasizing your real strengths than to embellish your experience and skills. A few detailed questions are enough to unmask even a small lie – and this, unlike a lack of experience, will immediately disqualify the candidate and thus exclude them from the recruitment process.
Take care of linguistic correctness
The linguistic correctness of a CV says a lot about the candidate. Spelling, stylistic, punctuation errors, colloquialisms or typos in the application may indicate carelessness. On this basis, the recruiter can draw the conclusion that the candidate will communicate with the company’s environment in the same way, e.g. by sending documents with errors to contractors. It is a pity to lose the chance to get a new job for such a reason, so before sending your CV, check the linguistic correctness of the document. An automatic word processor in Word or another person who will look at the text with fresh eyes can help.
Use the right photo
A photo is an important part of a resume and helps build a professional image. This is usually the first thing a recruiter sees when they open an application. The photo should be of good quality, clear and preferably taken by a photographer who will take care of the right light, background and make you look professional. The photo should show the face and possibly part of the figure. You should certainly avoid posting informal photos, e.g. from social gatherings or a trip, because they may be negatively perceived by a potential employer.
Attach references
References increase the credibility and professionalism of the candidate, so it is a good idea to include them in your application documents. It is best to include in your CV contacts to people who, if the recruiter is interested, will be able to share their opinion about you, certify the scope of their duties and commitment. A valuable source of information for the recruiter will be the direct supervisor from the previous workplace, but also a person from the team – don’t forget to add the names of their positions. You can also always attach a written reference to your application or inform them that they are available on request.
Save the file in the right format
Commonly used file formats are .doc or .pdf. By using other extensions, you risk that your employer will not open the file due to the lack of a suitable program. If you send your CV in .doc format, it may happen that the recipient will use a different version of the program (e.g. a newer one), which will change the appearance of the document. In this regard, the .pdf format is more secure, as it ensures that the document will look the way you want it to. On the other hand, many recruiters need to enter resume data into internal recruitment systems, so by uploading a file in .doc format, you can make their job easier. Documents in .doc format also make it easier to search for candidates’ competencies in databases.
Doświadczony analityk rynku pracy, specjalizuje się w badaniach nad trendami zatrudnienia i zmianami w strukturze zawodowej. Jego artykuły, publikowane w renomowanych czasopismach branżowych, pomagają czytelnikom zrozumieć dynamikę rynku pracy.
