Job Hunter Tips // CV Tweaks You Can’t Afford To Skip From Employability Expert

New research has revealed that over 30% of the workforce is currently looking for a new job. For many, this means digging through their wardrobe for an interview outfit, brushing up their interview skills, and updating their CV. 

Updating your CV can feel like taking a stab in the dark but, according to employability experts, there are some tips that you can apply for a better shot at success.

Guy Thornton, the founder of PracticeAptitudeTests.com, elaborated: “February is notoriously an excellent month for applying for work, as businesses have likely set their annual budgets and are actively seeking out fresh talent.

“That said, if you haven’t got a stand-out, freshly updated CV, you run the risk of falling short of the competition.”

Guy shared the CV edits everyone should make if they’re hoping for new work.

// Remove ‘waffle’

“It’s easy to write a CV that’s thousands of words long, but that’s really not necessary.

“Most employers only look at CVs for a short amount of time, especially if it’s a role that has attracted a lot of interest.

“When editing your CV, try to condense it to no more than two pages. Ensure that only the most important details are included, and remove all unnecessary filler words.”

// Highlight relevant experience

“Even if the roles you’ve done before aren’t directly relevant to the ones you’re applying for, there are always ways to highlight key responsibilities.

“Employers want to know what skills you can bring to the role they’re advertising.

“For example, if you worked in a café and you’re applying for an office administrative role, the hiring manager won’t be particularly interested in how good you are at serving tables.

“Instead, you can focus on your communication skills, time management, flexibility, and problem-solving abilities. These are all qualities employers look for in candidates, so emphasising them is the best way to stand out.”

// Make your CV unique

“Employers review hundreds of CVs and often get tired of seeing the same format over and over again.

"Anything that makes you stand out while keeping a professional tone can be used to make your CV more engaging and unique. You can be creative with colour and templates, as well as by mentioning unique experiences that other candidates might not have."

// Remove unnecessary qualifications

“When editing your CV, ensure you’re not wasting valuable space by including qualifications that aren’t relevant.

“Instead, highlight your two most recent and relevant educational achievements, such as a degree and college qualifications. Most of the time, employers aren’t looking for a complete overview of your educational history, just the key qualifications and skills that apply to the role.

“Make sure everything on your CV earns its place, and if it’s not useful, get rid of it!”

// Delete pictures of yourself

“Having a picture on your CV is a massive no-no and ultimately a waste of time.

“Due to anti-discrimination laws, employers are not allowed to consider factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, or physical appearance when selecting candidates for a role. So, it’s best to leave photos out altogether.”

// Fine-tune your hobbies

“Often, mentioning hobbies on your CV gives an employer valuable insight into your personality and passions. However, if a hobby doesn’t have transferable skills or provide useful characteristics, it’s best to leave it out.

“For example, if you’re applying for a marketing job, mentioning that you crochet may not be relevant to the employer.

“Instead, highlight hobbies that demonstrate skills such as creativity, leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving—anything that could be an asset in the role you’re applying for.”