Introduction
In a previous article on this site we explained the disadvantages of using a
generalised CV. This article illustrates the technique of how to target the CV
relating to different roles.
Why Does The CV Need Targeting?
Whilst you may have a wealth of skills across a range of disciplines it is
certainly not always the case that all of them are required for each potential
position.
Rather than present the reader with a sweet jar of bits and bobs to take their
pick from, you present them with a box containing only the chocolate they
require.
You have 20 seconds to make an impact before your CV either goes in the bin or
into the pile of potential candidates. Targeting your CV will ensure you
maximise your chances of going into the latter.
Starting With The Job Advert
We will approach this by looking at two opportunities previously advertised on
Jobserve :
Advert 1
Web Developer
Our client requires an experienced Web Developer for a 12 month FTC. You should
have advanced experience of HTML, CSS and DHTML with strong JavaScript skills.
You should have an understanding of project methodology and have experience
developing Intranet and Extranet solutions for large companies. You will be
working on the development of new Intranet, Internet and Extranet sites as well
as doing the ongoing maintenance and enhancements of existing sites. You should
have good client facing skills and be an excellent communicator.
Advert 2
.NET Developer
Our client is a medium sized organisation based in West Yorkshire, they are
looking for a .NET Developer, with a minimum of 2yrs VB or ASP and 6 months
commercial .NET experience. The client also requires knowledge of Web Services
and Compact Framework, and should be comfortable with SQL Server, Access, XML,
Crystal Reports and IIS. Optional skills that would be a benefit to the role
would be HTML, JavaScript. Your desire to become part of a growing team and
eventually move into a Team Leadership capacity will be what interests you.
This organisation will be growing there IT department ten fold over the course
of the next two years and as such will be opening a new data centre to help
facilitate the growth in IT personnel. If you would like to work within a fast
paced young dynamic team then please contact the office ASAP.
These are similar roles with similar technical skills requirements, however, we
need to target the CV specifically to match each opportunity and ensure we tell
the reader what they want to hear within 20 seconds. We will assume for the
purposes of illustration that you do actually possess all of the skills
required within both roles. No telling porkies!
Lets first pick out the salient points from each advert before we incorporate
them into the CV:
Advert 1: What they want to see:
-
Need a ‘Web Developer’
-
Has done long contracts (e.g. 12 months plus).
-
Front end web skills: HTML, CSS, DHTML, Javascript.
-
Worked with large companies.
-
Experience of project life cycle.
-
Done new development and also maintenance.
-
Good communication skills with clients.
Advert 2: What they want to see:
-
.NET Developer – VB/ASP background. 6 months .NET
-
Web Services / XML.
-
SQL Server, Access, Crystal Reports
-
Fast paced. Young and dynamic.
-
Ambitious (to become a team leader later).
You may well have the skills for both of the roles, but notice that the roles
place a different emphasis on those skills. The first advert is looking for a
solid front end developer who can interact with clients. The second advert is
looking for an ambitious .NET developer to build web services that sit on top
of a relational database. On top of that they are looking for someone who wants
to grow with them.
Tailoring Your Profile and Expertise Sections
Now, using the salient points from the advertisements rewrite the profile and
expertise sections. Here are some suggestions for both adverts:
Suggested Profile and Expertise list for Advert 1:
|
PROFILE
Experienced and very successful WEB DEVELOPER with a wealth of technical
and business skills acquired in demanding roles with leading global industry
players in financial services. Technical skills include JavaScript, HTML, CSS
and DHTML with full understanding of life cycle and project methodologies. Now
seeking next rewarding career opportunity to demonstrate substantial abilities
and make an effective contribution in a successful client focused team.
EXPERTISE
-
Extensive experience of Intranet, Internet and Extranet solutions.
-
Front end skills: HTML, CSS, DHTML, Javascript.
-
Full project life cycle: Design, development, testing, deployment and
maintenance.
-
Mature and articulate communication skills – good with clients.
-
Flexible and adaptable approach to tasks - effective team player.
-
Meets demanding deadlines and targets working under pressure
-
(and so on – you need about 10 bullet points here)
|
Notice how we specifically address all of the points mentioned in the advert
and that the ‘banner headline’ on this CV is ‘WEB DEVELOPER’. It is not
‘Software Developer’ or ‘Java Developer’– we tell them exactly what they want
to hear.
Suggested Profile and Expertise list for Advert 2:
|
PROFILE
Ambitious and experienced .NET DEVELOPER with a wealth of technical and
business skills acquired across a wide range of demanding roles within leading
commercial organisations. Skills include VB, ASP, .NET Framework. Full
understanding of project methodologies. Now seeking next rewarding career
development opportunity to demonstrate substantial abilities and make an
effective contribution in a young and dynamic client focused team.
EXPERTISE
-
Extensive commercial experience of VB and ASP technical solutions.
-
Comprehensive knowledge of the .NET Framework, Web Services and the Compact
Framework.
-
Relational Databases: SQL Server, Access
-
XML, Crystal Reports and IIS technologies.
-
Some experience of web development using HTML and JavaScript.
-
Self motivated and ambitious to develop into team leadership role.
-
Mature and articulate communication skills – good with clients.
-
Flexible and adaptable approach to tasks - effective team player.
-
Meets demanding deadlines and targets working under pressure
-
(and so on – you need about 10 bullet points here)
|
Again, notice we target exactly what is required in the job title and
description and resist the urge to include things which are not relevant to
this particular role. You might be a guru in Flash or Excel VBA, however they
have not asked for that – you may have climbed Mount Everest last weekend,
however, they haven’t asked for expertise in mountaineering either!
Don’t Make Them Think
Getting your CV put into the ‘possible candidate pile’ and avoiding the bin is
the whole point of your CV. It is a marketing document about you.
You need to ensure that you minimise the amount of thinking that an agent needs
to do when reading your CV when they try and evaluate you for the position.
To do this you need to avoid the need for them to make mental leaps. For
example, if they ask for someone who can do OO modelling you put ‘OO modelling’
on your CV rather than, or in addition to, putting something like ‘Design using
UML’. You know and your potential new boss probably knows that OO Modelling and
Design with UML are the same thing, but does the agent? Thus, use the same
words and phrases you see in the advert.
Closing Comments
If you would like help preparing your CV then please contact Career Consultancy Services .
Good luck in your job search and look out for further tips from us on job
search.
Updated: Tuesday, August 09, 2011
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