Signs your CV needs professional help

If you’re looking for a new job this year, you’ll need a CV to accompany your applications. But you only get one chance to make an impact and impress a prospective employer.

To make sure you do your applications justice, see if you need a free CV review by checking out the following five signs.

1. It’s been a while since you last wrote a CV.

Whether it’s been one year or 10 years since you last looked for a job, getting your CV up to date and looking savvy can be tricky. If you’re not sure if your CV looks the part or are uncertain of how to sell your responsibilities and achievement effectively, a professional CV review will dissipate all concerns.

For a start, the experts are aware of the latest CV trends, which means they can advise you on how to alter your CV so that it fits the 2018 job market. In addition, a CV critique will reveal whether you have identified powerful selling points that will impress potential employers.

2. You’re unfamiliar with keywords and ATSs.

Ever heard of an applicant tracking system, otherwise known as an ATS? This piece of software is often used by large corporations that receive hundreds of applications per vacancy. ATSs scan CVs for keywords related to the position to ensure the applicant is suitable. The CV will only progress to a human recruiter if it showcases the relevant terms.

To ensure that your CV is optimised for an ATS, submit your CV for a free review. TopCV will be able to tell you if it’s strong enough to beat the robots and how to tweak the document if it’s not.

3. Your employment history is all over the place.

Life is rarely straightforward, and as a result, our employment history can be a little rough around the edges. If you were sacked, took a career break or were made redundant, you may be struggling to mask the gaps in your CV.

Thankfully, there are some honest, professional tricks to address the bumps in your career summary. Simply submit your CV for an evaluation and the experts will be able to alter your CV so it justifies your decisions and highlights your true talent.

4. You can’t work out how to polish it.

The content is just one half of creating a CV; the other is the design and formatting, and it’s as equally important.

If you can’t work out how to give your CV a slick, polished feel, a CV review can assist you. From font sizes and typefaces, to page margins and alignment, the experts will show you how to buff-up your CV, so it presents you as a professional.

5. You’re not sure what to add or remove.

Most job hunters are not completely sure what to include on their CV. Many, therefore, make the mistake of adding every personal detail to make themselves seem like a well-rounded, prepared professional. But the result is often quite the opposite.

If you’re not sure what to add to your CV or can’t work out what you can afford to cut, a free CV review will dispel all sense of mystery and ensure that every word is documented with purpose.

TopCV offers a range of CV-writing services including expertly-written and keyword-optimised CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles. It is currently offering a free CV review to help you land your dream IT job.