Outplacement &
CV writing support

A well-crafted CV should be easy to navigate, succinct, and easy to read. It should contain information that is pertinent to the job or position being applied for, including the applicant's education, work experience, achievements, personal characteristics, and skills. The CV should be tailored to the specific job opportunity and be free of errors and use appropriate language and formatting.

When it comes to an executive CV, it needs to stand out among other high-quality submissions. It should include more in-depth information about the applicant's professional experience and achievements. It should also showcase the applicant's leadership abilities, work ethic, management experience, business connections, and any other relevant qualifications that set them apart from other candidates.

It is important to highlight your accomplishments in a CV as it showcases your abilities and experience to potential employers. Accomplishments help to display how you have made a positive impact in previous positions and sets you apart from other applicants.

Many CVs tend to focus on job duties and responsibilities but emphasising accomplishments helps to demonstrate your ability to drive revenue, cut costs, and enhance productivity for the company.

It's important to understand how an ATS works and how to optimise your CV for it because it can greatly increase your chances of getting past the initial screening process and being considered for the job. This includes using relevant keywords and phrases, using appropriate formatting and headings, and ensuring that there are no errors in the document. Additionally, it is important to tailor your CV to the specific job and to demonstrate how your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position. This will help to increase the chances of your CV being selected by the ATS and considered by the employer.

An ATS is a Google-like algorithm that many businesses use as an initial filter to eliminate what it considers to be low-quality CVs. Many qualified candidates fall into this trap as a result of poor document formatting and a lack of relevant document header text and keywords.

When addressing selection criteria in a CV, it is important to give specific examples of how you have met each requirement. This includes mentioning any relevant experience, skills, or qualifications you possess that demonstrate your ability to meet the criterion.

Additionally, you should provide evidence of your accomplishments and successes in the areas outlined in the selection criteria. Each employer has their own specific selection criteria and they are becoming increasingly qualitative. It's important to have a good understanding of yourself and your experiences to effectively answer these criteria, as they can include detailed and specific questions. This process requires time and expertise to properly address.

Some of the most common mistakes made when applying for a job include: not tailoring your CV and cover letter to the specific job opportunity, including irrelevant or outdated information on the CV, not proofreading the application materials, not providing enough detail about your skills and experience, and failing to follow the application instructions. These errors can make it difficult for hiring managers to see how your skills and experience match their needs, decrease your chances of being invited for an interview, and give the impression of carelessness or unprofessionalism.

• Failure to personalise the CV or cover letter to the unique job opportunity may result in the CV being rejected by an ATS filter rendering it impossible for hiring managers to determine how your abilities and experience meet their specific demands.
• Including irrelevant or out-of-date material on the CV. It is critical to maintain your CV up to date and relevant to the jobs you are looking for. Avoid presenting irrelevant or old material that could detract from your most important qualifications and achievements.
• Not proofreading the application materials. It is critical to proofread your CV, cover letter, and any other application materials before submitting them. Even minor spelling or grammar errors can make you appear careless or unprofessional, lowering your likelihood of being invited to an interview.
• Inadequate detail about your skills and expertise. It is critical to include sufficient detail about your knowledge and skills to present hiring managers with a comprehensive view of your qualifications. Use concrete examples of your successes and abilities rather than generic or broad assertions.
• Failure to adhere to the application instructions. Many job postings contain guidelines for applying, such as how to submit your application materials or format your CV. Failure to stick to these rules may make it difficult for hiring managers to evaluate your application, limiting your chances of being selected for an interview.