CV Hacks and Interview Skills: Tips from the Mentoring Programme Workshop
Have you ever wondered what recruiters are looking for in a CV?
How do you make sure that your CV stands out in a sea of job applications?
The Mentoring Programme workshop led by Leanne on CV hacks and interview skills provided some valuable insights into crafting a winning CV.
The first tip from the workshop was to keep it simple.
Make sure to complete your CV with all the necessary details. Make it easy to read and understand. Use bullet points, and keep sentences short and to the point.
Make a CV for the job you want.
Use the job duties, tasks, and descriptions to tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for. Highlight your soft skills, such as communication, multitasking, and collaboration. These are often the selling points that recruiters look for in a candidate.
Even if you don’t have the experience, you may still have the skills required for the job. Consider what you’re doing in your day-to-day life and how it may be relevant to the job you’re applying for.
What is going to make you successful? It’s whatever sets you apart from other candidates.
When it comes to writing your career history, write it for the jobs you are applying for. Don’t just copy and paste from your previous CVs. Tailor your career history to the specific job you want.
Remember, a CV is a black-and-white document unless you are in the creative field. If you are in a creative field, you can add some creative flair to your CV. However, for most jobs, the content is the most critical aspect.
Research the jobs you are applying for and align your CV accordingly.
Your certifications and relevant information should go first. This way, what you want to stand out is right at the top.
Finally, don’t pay for CVs to be written or created.
Instead, ask your network for help or feedback if you need support.
The workshop also highlighted an interesting statistic. Men are more likely to apply for a job even if they only have 38% of the required skills, while women will only apply if they have 98% of the required skills.
This means that women are missing out on opportunities simply because they don’t feel qualified enough. However, the most extensive advice from the workshop was to believe in yourself and keep going. You will have skills not outlined in the job description, and the belief of “just keep going” will find more opportunities than not doing the work.
In conclusion, crafting a winning CV is about tailoring it to the specific job you want and highlighting your soft skills. Remember that you have skills even if you don’t have the experience. Believe in yourself and keep going. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to landing your dream job.
This blog contribution was made by Eleonora Papini.
Eleonora has 3+ of experience in sustainable development and international cooperation with a background in Economic Development and International Cooperation with Finance.
Her background includes working as a Project Implementation Officer in a European project about urban sustainable development solutions to value the young and female entrepreneurship industry.
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