4 Tips to make your CV more searchable

You already know that you have to have a strong CV and cover letter to attract employers’ attention and to gain an interview. However, what you may not know is that you can be passed over for a lot of great jobs if you don’t include the right language in your CV. When matching candidates with companies and positions, we only have your CV to work with. You can do a lot to help us match you with the perfect position if you follow these simple tips.

1. Study Job Postings

First, take some time to read through the job postings that you’re most interested in. Pay close attention to the language they use. If you’re looking for a position in sales, you’ll want to include keywords and phrases like new business sales, hunting, prospecting clients customer acquisition, marketing support, negotiation, event planning, and/or marketing. For management positions, you’ll want to include words like leadership, customer relations, decision making, operations management, and financial strategies and so on.

Most importantly, tailor the language in your CV for each job you’re applying for. If you want to ensure that you have the best chance of getting an interview, you’ll want to use the same language that they use in their postings and in their company.

2. Tweak Your Titles

In line with using the same language as the companies you’re applying with, again take a look at the jobs and job descriptions you’re interested in. Then look at your relevant experience. Let’s say you’re interested in an administrative assistant position and you currently work in a bank as business support administrator.

Your job description is most likely very similar and relevant to the jobs you’re looking for. There’s nothing wrong, then, with listing your position on your CV as “administrative assistant”. You already have the experience. With this choice of wording, when companies search through their applicants’ CVs, they’ll be much more likely to pick out yours when you have the right keywords.

3. Include the Skills and Tools you use on a Daily Basis

When listing your skills, instead of listing vague skills like “word processing” or “spreadsheet creation”, include the tools and software that you’ve used. For example, companies are looking for employees who can use Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, and other tools. They want to know that you’ve worked with the tools that they use in their offices.

Again, look at the job postings you see online in your field. Pay close attention to the tools that these companies list in their job descriptions and requirements. Don’t lie, of course, but do be specific about the particular tools and industry-specific software you’ve used and become expert with in your career.

4. Keep It Fresh

Don’t just post your CV and leave it alone. If you want to be seen by more companies, refresh the details on your profile and CV once a week. When you do this, take a look at new job postings and tailor your details and keywords to those postings. If you maintain and update your CV regularly, more companies will see your qualifications and will be more likely to invite you to an interview.