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How to Write a CV That Sells

  • 21st March 2023
  • Investing in Women
  • 3 mins read
How to Write a CV That Sells featured image

As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, having a standout CV is more important than ever. But what makes a great CV? Is it the format, the content, or something else entirely?

To help answer these questions, we sat down with career mentor Laurie McPherson (also known as the Career Wing Woman) to discuss the key elements of a successful CV. With years of experience helping women navigate career transitions and job searches, Laurie has a wealth of knowledge in crafting effective CVs that stand out to hiring managers.

In today’s episode, Laurie shares tips and insights for writing a CV that sells so you can land your dream job and take your career to the next level. She helps clients craft a clear, compelling CV story by working collaboratively with them. During a power session, Laurie highlights their achievements and results with specific numbers and details, and provides pointers for creating a strong cover letter. This work can be used again during interviews.

Please stay tuned for this and much more.

For more career and CV advice so you effortlessly land your dream job, check out our ‘CV to Interview’ masterclass with Laurie now.

Key Highlights

[00:00:00] Introduction to today’s guest and topic

[00:00:59] Who is Laurie, and what does she do?

[00:01:49] What makes a winning CV?

[00:04:55] Why are people reluctant to sell themselves

[00:09:38] Selling yourself after a career break

[00:12:41] Skills-based versus chronological CV

[00:17:45] What is a chronological CV?

[00:22:39] What is the standard length for a CV?

[00:24:26] How to make sure your CV gets past the bot stage

[00:27:03] How important is a cover letter?

[00:29:42] How to connect with Laurie

Notable Quotes

  • When writing your CV, focus on what matters to the employer and highlight how you can contribute to the role currently. Employers care about what you can do for them now, not just past achievements.
  • Keep your CV simple and easily read by avoiding small fonts and unnecessary decorations. Recruiters want to quickly understand your value proposition and how you can benefit their clients.
  • Aim for a CV of two to two and a half pages max. Going over tends to lead to irrelevant details and rambling. Keep it clean and concise to increase your chances of being interviewed.
  • Use job description keywords in your top CV sentence to increase visibility in applicant tracking systems. Different systems prefer keywords in different places, so tailor accordingly.
  • If your CV is unclear, use your cover letter to craft a clear and compelling story about yourself. A strong narrative across both documents will increase your chances of being noticed.

Resources:

To connect with Elizabeth:

Investing in Women Flexible Working Job Board and Recruitment Website: Investing in Women

Facebook: Facebook

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

To connect with Laurie:

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Facebook: Facebook

Instagram: Instagram

Website: https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/