Provide Strong Focused Content

• Cater your CV to the specific job. Identify the specific skills sets needed for the role and then highlight those in your CV. This information can be accessed from job postings that usually describe the role requirements. Or better still, network with contacts in the industry to identify the skills that are needed to be successful in the advertised position.

• Highlight your experience and exposure to the industry and as relevant to the position. Start with your skills and experience profile that is most likely to capture your prospective employers attention on what you have to offer them. Read the job description carefully and make sure your profile fits in with the job you are applying for. Weave in qualifications, certifications and experience outlined in the job posting.

• It is vital to summarize your strengths and key qualifications. This should come in the top half of the first page of your resume. In reading this, the prospective employer can immediately grasp the scope of your professional experience.

• Focus on your achievements rather than describing duties. Hiring managers are also on the look out for achievements in your previous roles. Emphasize your accomplishments with facts and quantifiable results. For example, the systems improvements you may have implemented; monetary value of your achievements; cite any awards received etc.

• Make sure to use the key words specific to the job description or there is a high probability your CV may get ignored. With the advent of internet CV’s, hiring managers tend to begin their candidate search using key words on CV databases.

• Keep it relevant and reader friendly. Ensure the language and sentences are simple and avoid abbreviations. You may be applying for an international position or the hiring manager may not be familiar with technical jargon.

• Update your CV regularly to suit the position you are applying for. Don't just write one CV and use it for every position you apply for. Have targeted and focused versions of your CV tweaking your profile to suit each application.

• Make sure to attach a cover letter even when applying for a job online or via email. Cover letters should be addressed to a specific individual and tailored to the company and position of interest. Briefly express your knowledge and interest in the company business and indicate what you can bring to the job and your fit for the role.

Concise and Clear Presentation

• Your CV should provide just a snapshot about you summarizing your achievements, your experiences and highlight the desired capabilities. Use formal and well-written language, writing simply and clearly. Do not go into too much detail – that is what an interview is for.

• While brevity is preferred, 2-3 pages is acceptable as long as the content is relevant and easy to read. Do not try and squeeze everything into one page by using a tiny font. Use a font size of 11 or 12 and keep it consistent through out the CV.

• CV’s do not need to be wholly industry specific but removing outdated skills and credentials can help ensure that you are removing irrelevant information where possible.

• Submit your references when specifically requested by an employer. Some employers prefer to source the references themselves. Or better still make sure your online profiles on shippingworkz, logisticsworkz or LinkedIn (or similar career sites) lists references.

• Make sure your CV is visually pleasing in appearance so it makes an immediate impression on the hiring manager. Keep the layout simple and uncluttered. Highlight different sections with clear subheadings using bold type or capitals. Neaten your resume with bullet points. Avoid long paragraphs that can be difficult to read.

• Proof read for spelling mistakes, grammatical and typing errors. This is one of the most commonly stated reasons for CV’s to be discarded by hiring managers.

I hope this article will help you all..........

Jay Parasher