It is now common knowledge that recruiters spend around 6-7 seconds to evaluate your resume, that too if it filters through the ATS (applicant tracking system). Yet, crafting a strong CV is the most important use of time that a candidate usually does in the job search process.
Here's a compilation of checklists to help you fix your CV along different aspects:
Hygiene
At the top of the CV, include your name, email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL.
Omit the street address (mention city if useful to the role)
Include a headline or professional summary that clearly mentions the target role and communicates your core brand and competencies. If using a summary, limit it to 3 lines plus bullet points
Try and create a one-page resume, limit to a maximum of two pages
Place your name and email on the second page in case of separation
Left-hand justify text
Use bold font for company or job titles as needed.
Use 3-4 bullet points for each job, each no more than 2 lines
Maintain minimum 0.70 margins for readability
Avoid additional formatting like lines, graphics, and italics unless they aid readability
Use an easy-to-read font like Calibri or Arial in 11 or 12 point size
Does each bullet point ends with or without a period (pick one way and stick to it)
ATS compliance
Creating an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compliant CV is crucial to ensure that your resume can be easily parsed and reviewed by automated systems used by many employers. Here's a checklist to help you make your CV ATS compliant:
Use a Standard Format: Save your CV in a standard format such as Microsoft Word (.docx)
Use a Simple Layout: Avoid complex formatting, tables, and text boxes
Clear Section Headings: Use clear and standard section headings (e.g., "Experience," "Education," "Skills")
Consistent Font: Use a standard, easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) throughout your CV
Include Keywords: Tailor your CV to the job description by including relevant keywords from the job posting
Avoid Headers and Footers: Avoid placing critical information, such as your contact details, in headers or footers
No Graphics or Images: Remove graphics, images, and logos as ATS may have difficulty reading them
Spell Out Acronyms: Spell out acronyms the first time and put the abbreviation in parentheses, e.g., "Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Use Standard Titles: Use standard job titles and avoid creative or unconventional titles
Complete Contact Information: Ensure your contact information (name, phone, email) is accurate and complete
No Columns or Tables: Avoid using multiple columns or tables as ATS may not interpret them correctly
Check File Naming: Name your CV file with a simple, relevant name (e.g., "JohnDoe_CV.docx")
Proofread for Errors: Carefully proofread your CV for spelling and grammatical errors
Test with ATS Software: Use online ATS compatibility tools like Linkedin resume builder to check how your CV performs with automated systems
Structure and Content
CV Language:
Be specific rather than general in your descriptions - use facts and quantify achievements
Focus on expressing information clearly rather than trying to impress
Use simple articulation rather than overly "flowery" or complex language
Keep in mind that CVs are often scanned quickly, so make your points concise and impactful
Experience:
List work experience in reverse chronological order
Consider functional categories if changing careers
Company description not needed for well-known companies
Include a one-line description for less-known companies
Include size, scope, revenue/budget managed, and team size for each job
Start each bullet with the most interesting fact
Remove experience older than 15-20 years (or place it in the additional experience section)
Education:
Follow the "Experience" section
Consider omitting graduation dates if your experience is higher than the role
STAR Process: For each achievement, follow the STAR process:
S - Situation: Describe the context or situation
T - Task: Explain the specific task or goal
A - Action: Detail the actions you took to address the task
R - Results: Highlight the outcomes, benefits, or results of your actions
PAR Statements: Write a PAR (Project-Activity-Results) statement for each experience on your CV:
P - Project: Describe the project, context, task, or job
A - Activity: Specify the actions or activities you undertook
R - Results: Emphasise the outcomes, benefits, or results achieved
Accuracy of Details
Are the companies you worked for still named the same, and are they located in the same city?
Are your job titles accurate and reflective of your actual responsibilities?
Are your employment dates correct and consistent?
Are all the numerical figures (increases, quotas, budgets, savings, achievements) reasonably accurate and verifiable?
Role alignment
Does your CV position you as the ideal candidate for the roles you are pursuing
Are there any notable gaps between your experience and the job requirements?
If there are gaps in your experience, have you highlighted transferable skills or relevant training that can bridge those gaps?
What sets your experience apart from other candidates with similar qualifications?
Does the top third of your CV serve as an attention-grabbing introduction to entice the hiring manager to read further?
Are there any details or sections on your CV that may not be relevant to the roles you're seeking and can be removed?
Visual impact
Aesthetic Appeal: Does the CV look visually appealing? Is it aesthetically pleasing?
Use of important space: Readers tend to scan in an F-shaped pattern (left to right, top to bottom) - make sure to not waste that space.
Clutter-Free: Is the page overly cluttered with information? Ensure a balanced use of white space
Font Size and Readability: Is the font size appropriate and easy to read? Avoid excessively small fonts
Consistent Formatting: Are the font size and format (bold, italics, etc.) consistent throughout each section of the CV?
Logical Layout: Does the layout of the CV make sense and flow naturally from one section to the next?
Contact Information: Is your contact information easily findable?
I hope this checklist proves invaluable in crafting a winning CV, and please do let us know if there's anything we may have overlooked.
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