Update your CV with these experts’ resume tips

Last updated on 12th December, 2024 at 12:14 pm

You’re hoping for a new job to start the new year off right. Is your CV up to the task? We talk to the experts to find out how you can nip, tuck, and tweak your way to recruitment success

Reading time: 5 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• How to smarten up your CV to create a strong impression.
• How to craft a compelling ‘About’ section.
• Strategies to stand out in the job market.

New year, new job? Your CV is your calling card, so if you’re hunting for a new employer, refreshing it should be your first step. We talked to recruitment agents Joanne Barrett, MD of Joanne Barrett Consulting and Claire Lockey, CEO of Pinion Search, to get the low-down on sprucing up your CV.

First, the don’ts:

• Don’t use overly casual language, such as ‘bubbly’.
• Ditch vague, generic job descriptions
• Overly long CVs are a turn-off
• Avoid clichés, industry jargon, and flowery language
• Spelling errors, incorrect dates, and not proofreading before submission can get your document in the discard pile

What to do instead

• Keep it concise – preferably a single page, but definitely not more than three
• Choose a professional, clean font. Avoid outdated options like Comic San
• Highlight your skills by using concrete examples, rather than listing them
• Include relevant social media profiles to showcase your online presence and digital skills
• Include keywords from the job description to show your research and understanding of the role
• Use strong action verbs like ‘Implemented’, ‘Optimised’, ‘Innovated’ or ‘Led’ to describe your achievements
• The final step? A meticulous proofread

Be strategic about your CV

When crafting your CV, start by understanding your target audience, says Lockey. The first person to review your profile might not have a deep understanding of the different roles and industries you’ve worked in, so use plain language and show how your experience is relevant for the current role. Check that your CV and profile are in the employer’s primary language, which might not be English. Finally, be very careful in sharing personal contact information and identifiers such as your ID number, as not all recruiters will treat this information with care.

Crafting the perfect ‘About’ section

The ‘About’ section gives you an opportunity to tailor your CV specifically to the job you’re applying for. Highlight your experience and key achievements and show how it relates to the role. Both Joanne and Claire recommend third person for this section. Keep it concise – just one to two short paragraphs does the job, says Barrett.

Stay in the game on LinkedIn

Is having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile really that critical? “Job seekers must maintain an up-to-date and complete LinkedIn profile. For me this is crucial,” says Barrett. “An outdated or incomplete profile can negatively impact their professional image and reduce their chances of being considered for job opportunities.” It’s especially important for recruiters and executive search.

“Remember there are many other means to investigate candidates. It’s important your social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc) be properly curated and representative of information you would want to share with prospective employers,” she says.

How AI changes the game

Internationally, AI applications are routinely used to scan CVs for jobs. Although this technology is still emerging in South Africa, understanding how it works can give you the edge, says Barrett.

AI scanners, also known as AI resume screening tools, are software applications used to streamline the initial stages of the hiring process. These tools analyse job descriptions and compare them to candidate CVs to quickly identify the most promising applicants based on keywords, skills and experience. They are starting to gain traction in SA as companies look for more efficient hiring solutions. “However, human judgment and intuition remain crucial in the hiring process,” she says.

Here’s Joanne’s tips on how to keep your CV AI-friendly:

• Use standard formats such as PDF or Word. Formatting that’s too complex can confuse AI scanners.
• Tailor your CV to include relevant keywords from the job description. This helps AI tools accurately match your qualifications to the role.
• Keep it clear and concise. AI can struggle to interpret language that’s complex or ambiguous.
• Look sharp. A well-structured, visually appealing CV can make a positive impression on both human and AI recruiters.

Free tools you can use

Resume Worded: evaluates your CV’s compliance with a type of recruitment software called applicant tracking systems (ATS), and gives feedback on key criteria.
Score My CV: analyses your CV across various dimensions, including impact, brevity, style and soft skills.

“Even if you’re using AI tools, it’s still essential to tailor your CV to specific job requirements,” she says. “Your CV is essentially your professional story,” says Joanne. “It’s not just about listing experiences, but about showcasing your unique value proposition.”