Although a traditional CV and cover letter combination is still the standard job application method, the growing popularity and clout of social networks has made a supplementary, online presence vital in many industries. With potential employers and recruiters going online to scout for (or verify) talent, savvy job seekers have bolstered their applications through developing LinkedIn profiles and an active social media presence.
But other trends are beginning to emerge (as reported by the Careers Thought Leaders Consortium) for job seekers who want to differentiate themselves even further in a crowded job market. Two of these trends are creating different types of CVs for different audiences, and developing "leave-behinds" for meetings and interviews.
How many different types of CVs should you have?
A range of formats (such as one-page bios or mobile-friendly CVs) are effective in different situations. For example, a beautifully designed and formatted paper CV can make a great impact if handed over in a meeting with prospective employers, recruiters and networking contacts.
But if your CV is going to be viewed on a screen, ease and speed of reading becomes more important. Make sure your CV can be read clearly by using headlines and bold font to draw your reader's eyes down the screen. Be as concise as possible: use very short sentences and abbreviations, and leave out words such as 'I' or 'we' and unnecessary adjectives.
On the other hand, if you're applying via a job board, you'll need to keyword your CV to avoid it being filtered out. Don't sacrifice readability in the process: stuffing your CV with keywords to the point that it reads awkwardly might get it binned when it's read by human eyes.
A shorter (one-page, for example) CV or biography can be more appropriate than a "full" CV at industry events such as conferences when you might want to give only a brief overview of your career and stand-out achievements – especially if your CV is then going to be passed on to another person. For careers or job fairs, where a standard A4-size CV risks being lost among all the others, an effective alternative is a business card with your name, contact details and job title on the front, and key skills or a career achievement on the back.
Don't neglect your online presence. A personal blog or online portfolio is a good way to provide extra information about your background and links to your work. Platforms such as LinkedIn also allow you to embed information via slideshare presentations, files, and multimedia content.
Video presentations can also work well – if professionally done. Meet The Real Me allows you to upload short video clips alongside your CV.
Leave-behinds
Help potential employers remember you after an interview or meeting. In a Q&A on branding, Shaun Westgate suggests creating an engaging PDF to showcase your work.
Emily Carrick gives an example of a mini CV designed as a perforated booklet. "It was such a simple idea but felt more special and 'premium' than a A4 piece of paper," she says.
If that's not your style, you can also leave behind a simple portfolio, such as a page of project highlights, or any other material you prepared for the interview, such as a presentation or consultancy-type proposal.
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