Description: A proven system of steps to help you dramatically increase your interview conversion rate. Subject to individual writing skills and dependent on an individual’s experience and circumstances.

This year at Telios Tutors, amongst all our students who required help with CV and cover writing skills; over 95% were successful in securing interviews for the jobs that they had applied for.

A CV and cover letter is essentially the initial step to get your ‘foot in the door’. You only have one opportunity to make the best possible impression and earn your invite for an interview.

Your CV and cover letter is the first step to communicating your value. No matter how excellent you are at what you do, if you are unable to fully articulate yourself in a manner that helps you stand out, you are unlikely to proceed to the next stage of the application process.

Tips on how to write a winning CV and cover letter

 

1. Get specific and adopt a personal approach

Recruiters oversee hundreds of applications and CVs and cover letters on a regular basis. Often times they receive what appears to be like a ‘cookie-cutter’ CV that lacks depth and personal touch.

Your CV should highlight the skills that the employer is looking for.

A cover letter should speak directly to the employer and your letter should refer to the job description and why you are the most compatible candidate for the role.

Acknowledge each job description and respond to them if appropriate, addressing your compatibility with each point. Bear in mind and appreciate that employers often oversee a high-volume of CVs and cover letters.

Employers rarely spend a great deal of time reading every little detail and usually spend on average a few seconds before they decide to dismiss or read on.

2. Excellent Presentation and Formatting

Your CV and cover letter should ideally be sent via a PDF attachment unless otherwise stated. It should contain no spelling or grammatical errors and formatted properly.

A CV ideally should be no more than two pages long and well structured, be professionally laid out and well-organised. Ensure your formatting is consistent throughout and reader-friendly.

Ensure your CV is concisely written and avoid ‘redundant’ information.

For example, if you are applying for a career in management, it may not be advisable to include a temporary position as a sales-assistant ten years ago.

3. Research and Add Value

To ensure good positioning, think of how you can add value to the organisation. Find out what the company’s mission, greater vision and values are. Then, ask yourself if you are aligned with their ethos and philosophy.

As an employee, you should consider yourself working in unison with the company and not just individualistically; you are a representative of something greater and beyond yourself.

4. Avoid an ‘entitlement’ mentality and adopt a ‘servitude’ mentality

Employers are looking for an exchange in value; focus on what you can ‘give’ rather than what you can ‘get’.

Focus and emphasise on what kind of service you can provide and what value you can offer.

Start thinking like an employer and ask yourself ‘if I were hiring someone with the same job title, what would I expect to see?’.

Employers are not entitled or inclined to offer you a job if you are largely focused on yourself.

Rather, expand your perspective and constantly think of how you can add real value to them.

This can be to help them significantly increase their revenue, generate more sales or manage a team so that they can scale up their business idea.

Try to come from the standpoint of servitude.

5. Send a video

Employers want to know the person behind the CV and cover letter. Attaching a video serves multiple purposes – it allows you to convey your personality and presence that will allow them to have a ‘feel’ for who you are.

They will get to see how well your articulate and express yourself. Moreover, it demonstrates initiative and boldness to be able to stand behind a camera and send it across.

It also adds a personal touch which employers love to see. Try to find out the hiring manager’s name or the appropriate person you need to address if possible.

Most candidates would be hesitant in sharing a video as they may have feelings of vulnerability. However, if you are able to get over these reservations, it can really help serve the purpose of helping you secure the placement.

With that being said, it is important the quality and content of the video is of a high standard and you articulate yourself professionally and concisely.

Are you serious about transforming your job prospects and want to work with an expert CV tutor? Contact Us today.