Just like keyword searches online, a targeted CV is the key to getting your foot in the door with a potential employer.
It provides you with an opportunity to sell your relevant skills and market yourself as someone a hiring business would want to meet.
But what makes a great tailored CV? Here are 7 tips from the Robert Walters IT division on how to write a great IT CV.
As an IT professional, you can make yourself stand out by including relevant information at the top. Start off with a profile statement that is business focused and not personal, in order to let the employer know immediately who you are and what you do. Keep it clear, simple and to the point.
You do not have much time to set yourself apart from the other candidates who may be applying for the job, so start off with three or four bullet points detailing any key tangible achievements from your current role, i.e., successfully implemented new CRM system across the business in China which achieved a saving of xx EUR, or, managed annual budgets totalling xx EUR. Potential employers will want to see that you can deliver in your role.
You should follow your achievements by highlighting any key skills, technical expertise and qualifications you have which are relevant to the role for which you are applying. Employers will immediately look for this when scanning your CV and it instantly marks you out as being appropriate for the role or not.
Not all employers are instantly recognizable brand names, but regardless of this, you should always include a short synopsis of your current employer – who they are, what they do and mention the company size in terms of employees and turnover. A potential employer will want to see if your experience is relevant and if your skills are transferable – often, they will stipulate that candidate must be from a particular industry or background so they can ‘hit the ground running’ in their new role.
Remember that regardless of what you put in your CV, the format is the first thing a recruiter or employer will take in when they open it. It should not be overly colorful and flashy as that implies style over substance, but it should highlight your experience in a way that your most impressive skills stand out. A great tip is to have the first four of five sections as clear bullet points which are easy to digest.
Try to take a step back and think about what someone viewing your CV for the first time would think.
Regardless of which industry you work in, spelling and grammar mistakes are a big turn off for employers and should be avoided at all costs. It is always advisable to get someone else to proofread your CV before you send it to an employer or recruiter.
While a generic CV which details all your skills and achievements may yield some success, you are more likely to get noticed if you customize it to specific roles. To do this effectively, you need to find out what the employer is looking for. Carefully examine the job specification and do your research on the internet. You will then be able to highlight the relevant achievements from your career which show your suitability for the role. If your experience is not a direct match, think about how the IT knowledge you have built up throughout your career may apply.
Looking for a new job in IT? View our latest IT jobs or contact one of our offices today.
Share this:
