Why and How You Should Customise CV

Are you currently struggling in a job search? What kind of CV do you send to the potential employers? Do you use the same CVs for all job positions? Or customise each of them for different job positions? If you answer these questions like this, ‘Of course I use the same CVs! Why do I have to customise my CV? Isn’t it such a waste of time?’, then you should change that perception soon. Because the truth is, not customising CV for every job you apply for will bring your opportunity down.

Curriculum Vitae or CV is the most fundamental weapon when one is applying for a job. Despite its small form, a single sheet of CV becomes the first thing that connects you with the company. It is the first medium from which the employer gains brief information to decide whether you are the right person for the job or not. In this era of high competition, hundreds to thousands CVs are coming to HRs mailbox for each job opening. It is impossible for recruiters to scrutinise each of them because it will take too much time. Seconds are all they take to quickly scan the resumes. In order to pass to the next selection process, not only it means that your CV has to stand out from more than a half of the applicants, you also need to make it as catchy as possible.

When we are talking about job search, customising CV becomes the most necessary action to pass the recruiter’s initial review. Within such a short time, the résumé should be able to demonstrate your core selling points and strengths. Here, customising CV is to find something that is relevant to the job applied, create particular space for it, and fill it with qualifications or experiences that will draw the recruiter’s interests.

With the comfort and ease of online job application, job seekers commonly take only minutes to study about the job advertisements before hitting the ‘Apply’ button. Some do really have interests in the job, while some others are only try their luck by randomly depositing their resumes. Thus, in order to stand out from the crowd, you need to show your genuine interest to the job by tailoring CV. Hiring managers only want to see qualifications that meet the job requirements, so if you send the same CVs for different job roles, this will be a bad point for your profile.

There are several quick tips on how you can customise your CVs. First, you need to carefully read the job descriptions and requirements. If you cannot fulfil more than 50 percent of them, do not apply for it. Next, highlight your expertises that matches the job on top of the resume so HRs notice it straight. List only experiences and skillsets that are related to the job. Provide specific information about yourself that you think can be beneficial for the job advertised.

Apply these easy tips and employers will soon send you job interview invitations. So, do you still think that customising CV is a waste of time?

Read also: How to Boost Confidence during Job Search