The first obstacle in every hiring process is CV curation, which is frequently the one that finance executives hate the most. You must lay a strong foundation before you can build anything in life. That is the function that your CV serves during the hiring process.
It provides a brief overview of your professional background and job eligibility. While some are on target, others are not. Your CV doesn’t have to be difficult to create or update. In reality, simplicity is best. The majority of individuals overdo their CVs, from selecting too cluttered templates to inflating their experience.
The easiest method to get your application recognised is to keep your CV straightforward and concentrate on building your personal brand. We establish connections between capable financial experts and businesses in the UK and abroad.
Here are our top 10 suggestions for moving your CV along in the hiring process.
1. Personal Brand
Your CV is a representation of your personal brand. Focus on anything that makes you stand out from your competitors. Typically, your personal branding statement should be at the very top of your CV. It should be the first thing that they read. It serves as a hook for the remainder of your CV. In a highly competitive industry like banking, personal branding is essential.
Your personal branding statement can be composed as a succinct paragraph or list your accomplishments, including fundraising milestones, in bullet points. Even if you are not actively looking for new job prospects, you should be working on your personal branding. Companies with a purpose give your personal brand the same consideration as your accomplishments. Your personal brand is your golden ticket if you’re an entrepreneur.
2. Contact information
Especially internally, resumes are frequently shared from one recruiting executive to another. One of the simplest pieces of information on your CV is also one of the most crucial. Your contact information Without these specifics, you risk losing out on a job for which you are the perfect fit. Verify that all of your contact information, including your phone number, is up to date.
It’s recommended to use a personal email account rather than an existing business email address. Your phone number should be personal or readily trackable, such as on your cell phone. Although it’s not necessary, you can indicate whether you’d like to be reached by phone or email. A candidate’s social media profiles are frequently included on their CV. Only ones that are properly maintained, like your LinkedIn profile, should be mentioned.
3. Keep it brief
Most resumes are 1–2 A4 pages long. Your portfolio will likely be asked separately from your CV. The majority of recruiters peruse dozens of resumes each day. Any CV should be simplified to fit on two A4 pages. Remember that not every position you’ve held needs to be discussed in detail, especially for more senior or junior roles. A concise CV demonstrates that you can hold the recruiter’s interest. Write your CV first, then edit it to make it shorter and remove any extraneous material. Start with a simple CV and exclude any material that isn’t pertinent to the career you are applying for.
4. Simple Architecture
Simple and brief. The golden rule for a successful CV is that Your CV should be no more than two A4 pages and have an intuitive format. You can make the most of your space by making your page margins smaller. The majority of recruiters must be able to quickly compare your credentials and skills to the job description. Employers may check off your qualifications that match those required for the job by selecting a straightforward framework.
5. Education
Your education should be highlighted on any CV. Include any honours or further education you have obtained, with an emphasis on your greatest qualifications. Your GCSEs and A-Levels from earlier education simply need to be briefly described. Reverse chronological sequence should be used to list your education. Work downwards from your greatest or most recent certification. Limit the details to the essentials, such as your classification, the name of your university, and the degree you earned.
Your experience will determine where your educational background appears on your CV. At the beginning of your career, when it’s one of your key selling points, it will frequently be listed at the top of your CV. As your career develops, the importance of your experience will begin to surpass that of your educational background. If you’re enrolled in a course right now, whether it’s a postgraduate or bachelor’s degree programme, you can mention it and indicate when you anticipate finishing.
6. Training
One component that individuals frequently overlook while creating a CV is training. One of the most crucial elements of your work success is personal development. That particular training you’ve received, such as any dealing with regulatory issues, should be mentioned. Employers in the future want to know that you are knowledgeable about all the most recent developments in the sector.
If your training is one of the key selling points of your personal brand, your CV should include a section dedicated to it. It’s a simple way to draw attention to the expertise that will make you stand out from the crowd. Displaying your training might demonstrate to a prospective employer that you are qualified for the job. You could have the required training to get started right away and make the change from one employee to the next go more smoothly.
7. Stay away from Industry – Specific Language
Every business has a unique “voice.” It’s typical to take up your employer’s particular language. Large corporations frequently create their own terminology that is unique to how they operate. Your CV should be written in straightforward terms. While acronyms may help you write less, if they are company-specific, they may be challenging to grasp. Each business has its own corporate culture, which is usually filled with its own jargon and acronyms.
Remember that acronyms can have varied meanings depending on the situation. Additionally, since a recruiting agent might not always be familiar with your business, you should avoid using language or jargon that is exclusive to your organisation. Before moving on to the next round of screening, most CVs are examined, especially for positions with a large number of candidates.
8. Avoid overstating or understating
Exaggerating is one of the major errors people make while writing a CV. When a recruiter finds out that you inflated your CV, nothing looks worse. When you get to the interview stage, most recruiters are able to see when a CV has been inflated. It’s customary for candidates to embellish their resumes. In a similar vein, candidates frequently undersell themselves.
Entry-level candidates who minimise their skills frequently undersell. Underselling and exaggerating both have issues of their own. Underselling yourself might cost you a job, while lying or embellishing on your resume could get you fired. In order to confirm that your experience matches what you claimed in your CV, the recruiter will get in touch with one of your references.
9. Digital Abilities
Your digital skills will be more crucial than ever in 2022. Your technical skills can help you get started quickly, whether you’re using all the IT tools available or managing a single piece of software. If any of your prior positions required the use of certain tasks or software, be sure to include them. Digital project management and data analysis are required for the majority of senior finance roles. Mention this in your CV along with any specialised digital tools you possess. Make sure to check off any relevant digital skills on your CV if a job application asks about them. Use data to support your experience and be explicit when explaining your digital skills. In a cutthroat industry, your digital skills might help you stand out.
10. Present yourself
The hiring process is made or broken by first impressions. Your CV is your first impression to a recruiter or potential employer. Your CV should promote you and highlight your qualifications for the opportunity. Make sure everything you write on your CV promotes you when you’re evaluating it. Your full CV should be written as an elevator pitch for the job.
Consider your CV from the perspective of marketing yourself. Creating your pitch and personal brand narrative separately to serve as a model while creating your CV might be helpful. Always tailor your CV to the particular job you’re looking for. When switching from one employment to another, updating your CV should only require minor changes.
