9 Tips to Crafting a Magnetic CV in 2024
Career

9 Tips to Crafting a Magnetic CV in 2024

Are you tirelessly sending out CVs, only to hear silence in return?   Cracking the CV code is getting harder!   What should a CV look like in 2024?   With the barrier to entry ever widening through complicated platforms, AI, and a lack of human interaction, it has become frustrating and confidence-wrecking to attempt […]

June 7th, 2024
*

Abby.

Founder

A search expert making key hires for over twenty years.

Are you tirelessly sending out CVs, only to hear silence in return?

 

Cracking the CV code is getting harder!

 

What should a CV look like in 2024?

 

With the barrier to entry ever widening through complicated platforms, AI, and a lack of human interaction, it has become frustrating and confidence-wrecking to attempt to seek a new role—I hear it every day.

 

Here are some of my top tips to crafting your CV for success:

 

Start Fresh

Start your CV from scratch each time you begin the search for a new job. Adding to an old CV can look mismatched, confusing the reader about your skills and intentions in a new role.

 

Think of the Reader

Think of who will be reading your CV – would you pick yours out of a pile of 50 for this role? Did you make it clear that you have the skills advertised in the job description? Don’t rush to submit your CV, you will only get one chance to be seen.

 

Address Gaps and Changes

Don’t leave the reader to make assumptions about your CV. Explain the gaps, why you moved on so soon, or why you changed industries. Ensure you are positive with the details; it will help them learn more about you.

 

Nail Your Profile Header

Your profile header is critical. It’s your opportunity to tell them what you can do, what you have achieved, how you did it, and how that could benefit the new employer. Don’t be shy here, make them so relevant to the targets of the role you are applying for.

 

Keep It Concise

If your CV includes a few short-term roles that do not match or complement the job description at all, consider leaving them out, shortening the details, or thinking about which tasks within that role could be useful for the new position and using those instead. I often see a huge amount of text relating to a totally irrelevant and very short-term role, distracting me from the gold.

 

Make the Matches

Your CV really has to match the job description; that includes titles, skills, qualifications, systems, and duties. Fold in the relevant keywords of your role and industry, as with AI doing a lot of the searching, it will rate you higher if you match the keywords in the job description. Be sure that it flows and is factual to your skills and experiences.

 

Remember, the person or bot skimming your CV is looking for keywords; they will most often not be able (or willing) to read between the lines. Review your CV against a spec like you are playing snap! The more snaps, the better.

 

Perfect the Presentation

Check the layout, font, spelling, and overall presentation. Bullet points are great because they allow the reader to skim through. Try to make it as easy as possible for the reader to get to the end without spotting something like a spelling mistake or font change that might stop them.

 

Sell Yourself

We tend to lack confidence in self-promotion, often hoping the reader will just guess that we are good. But guess what? If you don’t say it, they will assume you are not good! List out those work achievements, those things you are very proud of, received praise for, or pushed through your comfort zone to deliver to the next level.

 

Bonus Tip

Should the role require a qualification that you do not have but are actively pursuing and recognise as important, add in a line such as “In my next role, my objective is to gain a CIPD qualification as it is important to my career ambition to study towards this”. Whatever you don’t say will never be known (plus, AI will pick up on CIPD – a sneaky win!).

 

Don’t underestimate the importance of giving your CV the time and thought it needs. You only get one chance to be seen, so attention to detail is key. Taking the time to tailor it to each opportunity and reviewing and refining it will help you stay relevant and increase your chances of success.

 


 

Want more content like this? Join our newsletter

 


 

Yellow Bricks hires exceptional temporary and permanent professionals for scaling organisations. Click here to find out more.

 


 

To find out more about how to focus on your brand, get in touch today.
Want to hear about our other articles?
Looking to hire your next superstar?
Keen to explore our latest vacancies?
Yellow Bricks is a female-owned and led executive search firm hiring predominately for software companies with diversity and inclusion at the heart of our offering. To learn more, click here.
Related posts
Cracking the C-Suite Code: Insider Strategies for Professionals

Cracking the C-Suite Code: Insider Strategies for Professionals

Reaching the C-suite is a significant career goal for many experienced professionals. While ambition is key, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities involved can make a substantial difference in your journey.   The #1 Secret to C-Suite Success Unlike roles at lower levels, top executive positions are often filled discreetly. This means that many C-suite […]
How to Get Your CV Right

How to Get Your CV Right

Finding a new job requires a large amount of time and dedication, we spend a lot of our time at work so securing a job carrying out important tasks that you enjoy alongside people that you like collaborating with at a salary that fits with your lifestyle is important. Then we must consider the commute, the hours, the benefits, the industry and prospects, the list goes on.
8 Habits That Will Make You a Better Leader

8 Habits That Will Make You a Better Leader

It’s the start of a shiny new year ✨   Your people will be looking to you for guidance and reassurance as we enter more uncertain times.   Building strong foundations by adopting helpful habits will help you to be the best leader you can be.   Here are our top 8 habits that will […]
5 Steps to Take Charge of Your Career

5 Steps to Take Charge of Your Career

Did you decide it was time for a new job only to be shocked by how difficult it actually is? Is it time to learn How to Take Control of Your Career Growth in 2025 It’s stressful being on the back foot, panic can lead to bad decisions and before you know it, you have […]
4 Leadership Skills That Will Set You Apart in 2025

4 Leadership Skills That Will Set You Apart in 2025

4 Top Leadership Competencies That Will Set You Apart in 2025 Are you aiming to take on a leadership role in 2025? You’re in the right place, we are here to tell you about the top leadership competencies for 2025. With industries transforming rapidly, knowing how to position yourself as a standout leader can feel […]
5 career-boosting moves women can make

5 career-boosting moves women can make

As the leader of an independent search firm, I am privileged to witness, influence, and guide the remarkable achievements of women entering and excelling within leadership across diverse industries. The resilience, talent, and dedication I see daily is truly inspiring. Here I share my top 5 Career Growth Strategies for Women.   As we head […]
4 Leadership Skills That Will Turbocharge Your Career in 2023

4 Leadership Skills That Will Turbocharge Your Career in 2023

Yellow Bricks Search dives into the latest and largest global study on leadership skills to show you what you’ve got to grow, where to start, and why it’s all important in 2023. Whether you’re looking to boost your career by getting that next promotion or a new role outside your company, one way to go […]
7 basic interview tips to stand out and get the job

7 basic interview tips to stand out and get the job

Have you got an interview coming up?   Has it been a while?   We have plenty of interview tips to get you started with your preparation.   Attending an interview can be a daunting feeling. Read on to discover our top tips to show your best side during an interview.   As soon as […]
First Interview Tips: 7 Simple Strategies for Success

First Interview Tips: 7 Simple Strategies for Success

Ace Your First Interview: 7 Proven Tips That Get Results! Improve your Interview Style, with these First Interview Tips: 7 Simple Strategies for Success. Navigating the job interview process can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when it comes to that all-important first interview. It’s completely understandable to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as […]

Join 2,500+ forward-thinking leaders.

People. Culture. Growth.
Unlock your leadership potential with our biweekly newsletter. No spam, only gold.