Unfortunately, there are companies up and down the UK that are being forced to make redundancies. While this isn’t a decision that businesses take lightly, it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.
The natural reaction to hearing redundancy news is to panic, but we want to reassure you that there are lots of roles out there that you are more than qualified for.
Applying for a new job can be scary, especially if you’ve been working at the same place for years. So, if this is all new to you, let’s start with your CV.
Your CV is the first thing a potential employer will see – and first impressions count! Here are our top tips for making your CV stand out in 2023.
Let’s start with the structure
Recruiters and employers see hundreds of CV’s every day and we know how to spot the red flags. There are a number of ways to structure your CV, but we’ve got an insider tip for you…
Those involved in the hiring process will want to know certain things about you – and they’ll want to know quickly without having to go through your entire CV to find them.
Below is a template that you can follow to ensure your CV is structured in the most efficient way.
Your personal profile is the first part of your CV that a recruiter or hiring manager will see. This section should be no more than 4 or 5 lines long,
This section should highlight your personal qualities that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Don’t get us wrong, the fact you love to travel or walk dogs in your spare time is definitely of interest to an employer, but it’s just not the most important thing.
This is your first real opportunity to sell yourself, here’s an example; ‘I am a strong Account Manager that has worked in the I.T sector for the past 3 years. In this time, I have looked after XXX customers and helped them achieve their goals. I am ambitious and driven and enjoy customer contact being a part of my daily role.’
Some people find it difficult to talk about themselves, but when it comes to your CV, you really need to toot your own horn.
After your personal profile, you’ll want to go onto your career highlights. This is not just the place to list the companies you’ve worked for, it’s your opportunity to pull out specific examples of your skills in practice.
Now onto your hobbies and interests. This is the area of your CV where you let your personality shine! Love to travel? Converted your living room into a sacred area for your house plant obsession? Enjoy nothing more than hiking in the peak district? Write it down! More often than not, the interviewer will read this section and use it to break the ice in your interview.
Take your time
We imagine that having been made redundant, or facing redundancy, means time is not on your side. You want to secure your new role as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
What we can tell you is that being available to start work immediately is a huge selling point – so you can afford to take some time with your CV.
We can’t speak for everyone, but a Sunday afternoon seems like the perfect time to sit down and write! This way, you’ll be entering the week with it sorted. If you get started and find yourself getting frustrated, take a break and come back to it.
Like we’ve said, our consultants read hundreds of CVs and have a pretty good idea of what makes a good CV and what red flags to avoid. If you need any support or guidance with your CV, please feel free to drop us an email at eyup@glurecruit.co.uk.