Why Your CV/Resume is Not Generating The Interview Offers You Want


If your current CV or resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it. Check to see that the following descriptors apply:

*Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying.

*Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company's specific needs.

*Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position.

*Gives a concise description of your previous employers - their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company.

*Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments. P identifies the 'problem' you faced; A describes the 'action' you took to solve the problem; R describes the 'result' of the action you took.

*Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc.

*Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise.

*Every sentence starts with an action word, for example: "increased production by 20% while saving £200,000 in operating costs" Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created, designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented, maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published.

*Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships.

*Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork.

*Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received.

*Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking.

*Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained.

*The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text.

*Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated.

*Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective.

Gerard McLoughlin, author of 'Four Minutes To Interview Success', has contributed career-related articles to hundreds of recruitment companies, websites and publications throughout the world, including: USA Today, JobBankUSA.com, US-Recruiters.com, etc.

To receive FREE career tips on a regular basis, sign up today for The Assignments Plus Newsletter.







Related News



Manufacturers face lack of new workers - Green Bay Press Gazette

Manufacturers face lack of new workers
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI -9 hours ago
We manufacturers have to get people, and especially young people, to realize that careers in manufacturing are good for their future and that many of the ...

Workers bust employment stereotypes - NEWS.com.au

Workers bust employment stereotypes
NEWS.com.au, Australia -18 hours ago
While garbage truck drivers continue to earn more than childcare workers there's no financial incentive for men to switch to careers into female dominated ...

Irish pay more for childcare than most Europeans - Irish Times

Irish pay more for childcare than most Europeans
Irish Times, Ireland -Oct 3, 2008
Women in the Republic with children under the age of 12 are less likely to be in employment than their counterparts in all EU countries bar the Czech ...

Launch of Choice – MTA Tourism Career Awareness Programme - Malta Independent Online

Launch of Choice – MTA Tourism Career Awareness Programme
Malta Independent Online, Malta -10 hours ago
... fourth and fifth year students to careers in the tourism industry, showing that the tourism industry can be a source of gainful and rewarding employment...

Economic Downturn Has Many Reconsidering Retirement Plans - RedOrbit

Economic Downturn Has Many Reconsidering Retirement Plans
RedOrbit, TX -9 hours ago
They will remain on the job, take new jobs, go back to school for retraining, start new careers and become entrepreneurs in late life. You name it. ...

Engineering jobs: Implosion or same old same old? - EETimes.com

Engineering jobs: Implosion or same old same old?
EETimes.com -1 hour ago
A search in the careers section of their web site turned up a need for six experienced software engineers, five of which are needed in the Valley. ...

Overt sex bias is losing ground - Buffalo News

Overt sex bias is losing ground
Buffalo News,  United States -7 hours ago
Child care remains a big issue for women, with surveys showing women still feel that they are the primary caregivers and that this can hurt their careers. ...

Irene Krechowiecka answers your employment questions - guardian.co.uk

Irene Krechowiecka answers your employment questions
guardian.co.uk, UK -Oct 3, 2008
The programme you mention sparked huge interest in careers in probate research but opportunities are very limited. There are only a handful of companies who ...

JVS honoring business, employee - Mirror

JVS honoring business, employee
Mirror, MI -Oct 5, 2008
... Award will go to Farmington Hills resident David Landaw who used JVS' Career Development and Employment Services to successfully change careers. ...


<Focus> Dongdaemun: Another multicultural community (4) - Internet Broadcast for Mgrants in Korea

<Focus> Dongdaemun: Another multicultural community (4)
Internet Broadcast for Mgrants in Korea, South Korea -14 hours ago
But now, people avoid hard work and don’t prioritize technical careers. For the past 10 years, those learning sewing skills have rarely been found. ...