Tailoring Your CV

• March 02, 2023

Sometimes the best person for the job doesn’t get to the interview stage.

Why?

Their CV is underperforming.

When you’re writing a CV, it’s vital you know what you’re doing. But there are some mistakes we commonly see. A key one is not tailoring your CV to the job you’re applying for.

We get it. You’re applying for multiple job roles, and you’re a great fit for each one. It’s a lot easier to put together 1 CV, write a tailored cover letter and send it off. Some of you may simply update an old CV by adding new experience to an old CV. It’s handy to do this, but see that as a work-in-progress only, not the finished article.

In truth, the best candidates tailor their CV for every application. So, how do you do this?

Here are the top 5 tips for tailoring your CV:

1. Make your CV header match the job title you’re applying for and use keywords from the job description in your CV. This will help you pass an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
2. Craft that summary at the top for a stellar first impression with top skills and work experience relevant to the role.
3. Research the company thoroughly. Note the language they use to talk about themselves and mirror that language so you stand out as a great company fit.
4. Remove irrelevant skills and experience.
5. Add relevant skills and experience required or desired in the job description.

A tailored CV will always outperform a generic one

Do you agree?