Substance Over Style

With an estimated 400 million CVs searchable online via search engines and job boards, it’s no wonder people are starting to add a little jazz to that somewhat mundane document.

More and more frequently, individuals are choosing style over substance when developing their CV, personal website and online presence on social networking sites.

Creating an online presence can be important when you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, but fashioning poor quality posts can be more damaging than no content at all.

Similarly, producing a Dickensian style masterpiece of a CV that leaves a recruiter or hiring manager feeling like they are on an episode of Crystal Maze will have a detrimental effect on your chances.

Website analytics tools reveal how users interact with websites, and consistently show that poor online experiences lead to lost online viewers, lost sales, and fewer people interested in your website and organization (Karnel, 2010). These same principles apply equally to your online profile and resume.

Your CV and online presence are the things that will set you apart from your rivals – recruiters review countless profiles and CVs on a daily basis, so it’s vital that you are able to make yourself stand out for all the right reasons. Here are a few key tips to help you create the right impression:

Sell yourself – This is a sales document, so treat it as one. You have 15 – 30 seconds to interest a recruiter with your CV.

Cut out the fluff – Clearly highlight your achievements. Our clients want to know what you’ve done and how you’ve done it.

Be creative not crazy – This is particularly relevant if you’re in the Marketing and Media sectors, and are looking to illustrate your artistic flair. Be fresh and imaginative but know when to stop.

Power of passion – Recruiters and companies (particularly start-ups) want to see an appetite for what they do. Put this across.