5 CV hacks to get you hired

Your CV will most likely be the first impression you make on an employer so it needs to be flawless. Clearly, grammatical errors, unprofessional photos and pages of waffle will get you ignored and rejected, but here are the vital tweaks you need to make to get yourself hired.

1. The file itself

When trying to throw information together to create a CV, it can be tempting to save the document as CV or ‘My CV’. Name and date your CV before sending it off to employers. As well as altering the way your CV is named, ensure it is saved in a format that can be opened on most computers, for example as a PDF.

2. Links

Anything that can be linked on your CV, should be. Your CV is likely to be opened virtually, so hyperlink everything from your LinkedIn profile to your email address.

3. Include numbers 

If you are able to show achievements through numbers, do so. Potential employers like to hear if you have been able to increase profits by 30% or that you reduced churn by 5%. Be specific and provide evidence rather than making vague claims about your achievements.

4. Cut out the clichés

Socialising or spending time with your cats is hardly a hobby worth mentioning to employers. Try and avoid including these sorts of CV clichés because employers will frankly be sick of hearing them…and frankly anybody who is actually “hard working and honest” would never even think of describing themselves like that.

5. No more than 10 bullet points

Recruiters don’t have time to read through 30 bullet points covering your skills. Keep them concise and to a minimum so that when your would-be employer is reading your CV, they can quickly see that you are right for the role.

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