#18: Back once again like a CV Master

Just what The Doctor ordered.

Hi! In this edition of The Jobs List I’m going to talk about getting your Master CV sorted out. A slightly shorter edition this time as technically I’m on holiday.

Anyway, like The Doctor, The Master has had many faces over the years.

The Doctor’s old adversary, the only other surviving Time Lord - they pop up here and there to cause chaos and get in the way of general do-gooding across time and space.

It’s ironic, in a way, as when I think of “master” I think of the one truth, the single source - that sort of thing - rather than one that regenerates over time.

👆The Master, 80s style.

Not be all evil and that.

So … create a Master CV - The Single Source of Truth, that will evolve over time.

This is how it works.

You update your CV, up to the minute. Then:

You add a CORE SKILLS & EXPERTISE section with all your skills relevant to the value you can add. Go wild.

Speak Japanese? Add it on.

Armed with Programme Management expertise? Add it on.

THEN….

Add skills to that section of your CV from your target job ads.

Over time (but not necessarily space) you will find your Master CV evolves. You may have 20 or 30 “Core” skills listed. I recommend limiting to keywords rather than sentences in a 3-column format. Either use a table or the Tab button.

When you come to apply for a role, just edit it down to the 12-15 that really are core to the role you’re applying for. Get rid of the ones that aren’t actually core to that role.

When hiring managers are putting together job descriptions, they usually have an unfeasibly long list of requirements - both essential and desirable.

It’s a shopping list.

When you go shopping, do you go to the places that you know stock the stuff you want to buy?

Of course you do.

You’re less likely to go to a shop that either doesn’t stock it, or that you’re not sure if they stock it.

So, look at the job advert as a shopping list - and you are the shop.

Review each of the requirements. If you fulfil them, make sure there’s reference to this in your core skills section.

In curating the Master version - take the skills out that aren’t necessary for that role.

If you are indeed a fluent Japanese speaker and the role doesn’t require it, move it to a languages section lower down. Leaving it in just creates noise that distracts the reader from the information they need from you.

And what’s more, you know that list of industry specialisms you have in your Profile? You can edit those too.

If you list 5 different industries you have sold into, worked in, led businesses in - that’s to many.

If you’re applying for a role in Aerospace, and I ideally want someone who’s worked in Aerospace, then that’s what I want to see.

Yes, some other industry experience to bring another set of eyes would be useful, but don’t go mad.

Lead with Aerospace and add in Automotive and Public Sector if you think they’re relevant (or whatever your additional sectors are).

DON’T THROW THE KITCHEN SINK AT IT!

Remember, hiring managers are looking for a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.

Or in shopping terms - If they want bread, be the baker when everyone else sending their CV in is Tesco.

Here’s a job ad for a Head of Sales I picked randomly off Indeed.com:

If you happen to be a sales person specialising in the HVAC world, this is for you.

But the process is the same for all adverts. If I was applying for this role, my core skills section would look something like this:

The recruiter’s eye is going to float effortlessly over this, mentally ticking off everything they’ve asked for. Then they’ll read on, finding out the experience in you CV that supports what they’ve just read.

If all that stacks up, you’ll get the phone call.

Simples.

Phil

As ever, if you want help with this, let me know. Just email me at Phil@philsterne.com, or head to my Linkedin account and hit me up there.