Top Tips to Make your CV Search Friendly

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 sales consulting, customer acquisition, marketing support, price
negotiation, event planning, and/or retail 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 school as
a faculty assistant.
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.

At PRC, we are committed to matching the most qualified candidates with the positions they’re
best suited to. We provide a professional and confidential service to all of our clients, both
jobseekers and companies seeking new talent. If you are a jobseeker, whatever field you work in
and whatever position you’re seeking, we will work to find the best fit for your talents, skills, and
personality. If you are seeking new candidates for your team, we will work to find the best
candidate for your company’s needs and your working environment.