Tailoring Your CV: A 7 Step Guide for Success

Your CV is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so when you make a job application, it’s important to make it count.

In today’s job market, tailoring your CV for a specific job vacancy can make all the difference as to whether you’re considered for a role or not, even if you could do the job standing on your head while juggling with your feet! With competition for jobs so high, a generic CV is at risk of being overlooked and sent straight to the reject pile. In contrast, tailoring your CV not only directly highlights your suitability for the role but also shows an employer that you’re committed and a serious contender.

To help, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on tailoring your CV:

1. Read the Job Description:

The job description outlines the skills, qualifications, and experience an employer is looking for, so this is your starting point. Read through it carefully and go through it with a fine-tooth comb, highlighting the keywords that crop up time and time again. Once you’ve done this, break it down further by pinpointing the most critical aspects of the role, such as the qualifications needed and the level of experience required.

2. Match your Skills & Experience:

Once you’ve highlighted the job description, it’s time to do the same with your CV. Much like with the job description, read through your CV and highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications you have that match. Next, remove the elements of your CV that are irrelevant to the role and cherry-pick aspects of your CV that you can elaborate on or add to.

3. Professional Summary:

As the first section an employer sees, you’ll want to make this stand out! Update this section to ensure it aligns with the role you’re applying for and highlights what you can bring to the company and team. For example, if you are applying for a Customer Service Executive vacancy that requires experience handling complaints, emphasize this within your professional summary. An example could be: A solutions-focused and approachable Customer Service Executive with over five years of experience. Confident in communicating with customers over the phone, I understand the importance of listening and using initiative, I have been successful in effectively and efficiently resolving issues and handling complaints in a manner that satisfies both parties.

4. Key Skills & Achievements:

In this section, add the skills you’ve highlighted from the job description. If these skills can be combined with your achievements, that’s a real bonus, especially if you include measurable results to impress a potential employer. For example, if you’re applying for a sales job that calls for strong communication skills, you could include a phrase such as “Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, proven by an increased customer retention rate of 25%.”

5. Employment History:

The most valuable section of your CV is the one you’ll want to spend the most time on. Tailored or not, ensure your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first), and format responsibilities as bullet points. Once done, start tailoring your CV to mirror the job description. Review your responsibilities and remove those that aren’t relevant; Highlight and tweak responsibilities that align with the job requirements; Re-order responsibilities to match the job description, as employers often list the most important responsibilities first.

Important: Even though you’re tailoring your CV, never lie or exaggerate your CV—it can backfire. Only include what you can genuinely do or have experience in.

6. Consider ATS:

ATS, or Applicant Tracking Systems, aren’t something we use as a recruitment agency, but many companies do! This software matches keywords from the job description with those in your CV. To ensure your CV passes through an ATS, include relevant keywords and use a simple format. Avoid fancy graphics or images and stick to clear fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

7. Proofread & Edit:

Proofreading is often overlooked, but it’s crucial for making the right impression. Take a break from your computer for a few hours and return with fresh eyes, or ask a friend or family member to review it. Check for typos and grammar errors, and ensure consistency in format and font.