At Stonehouse, we frequently find exceptional talent struggling to circulate the potential they offer due to one comprising factor, their CV. A CV is your first impression, your personal showcase and a crucial document that connects professionals with career opportunities. Recognising the plight of professionals trying to penetrate the industry, we've compiled our 5 top tips to help improve your CV.

1. Tailor Your CV to the Role

Each role demands different skills and experience. Therefore, your CV should mimic this diversity. Adjust your CV to emphasise the abilities pertinent to the role you're seeking. Anticipate the recruiter's needs and mirror them in your CV, making you an appealing candidate. Everything at Stonehouse is personal, nothing is more personal than your CV. Make it personal to the client you are applying to!

2. Be Precise and Direct

Potential employers read hundreds of CVs each month, having clarity and conciseness in your CV goes a long way towards making the most of a employer's attention. Ensure all information is relevant to the role, prioritising details that highlight your qualifications and experience related to the position.

3. Emphasise Achievements

Exploit the opportunity to demonstrate how you've used your skills to drive results. Whenever possible, back your statements with hard data such as "increased performance by 20%" or "led a team of 10 professionals and we achieved this together". This drives home your successes in an impactful way.

4. Keyword Optimisation

CVs nowadays often need to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) before they land on a human's desk. By incorporating appropriate keywords found in the job description and industry news, you heighten your CV's chances of ranking higher in an ATS.

5. Proofread!!!

Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors can seriously hamper your chances of proceeding to the next recruiting stage. Always proofread your CV, or better yet, have a friend or professional service review it.

Your CV is a vital tool in your job-search arsenal. While the flurry of advice might be overwhelming, start with the above tips to refine and re-energise your CV, setting you on a propitious path in any industry.

Still feel like you need more guidance? Or perhaps you're in search of new opportunities to test your improved CV on? Please get in touch, and we will be more than ready to help you navigate your relevant industry. Together, let's achieve exceptional career journeys.