How do I write an effective CV when I'm going for a totally new job?

ShiftDoctor answer

By Jessica McGrego...

CV's are an art form in themselves and I understand your concern. However, one mistake that is commonly made is thinking that you have to show that you've done the job before rather than that you have the requisite skills that can be lent to a new role.

Come at it from a two-fold approach.

What are the skills needed for the job you want?

First get very clear on what the job you wish to land requires. If you know of someone in a similar position pick their brain for all the details of this kind of role. Do masses of research on the web, reading job descriptions and role responsibilities for the kind of role you wish to apply for. If you can, speak to someone in the company if you have that kind of access. Any information at this stage is useful. What skills do the designing, implementing and evaluating surveys call for? The reason you are doing this level of research is that you want to show how you have the skills to do this job. You may not have used them in this way before, but you can illustrate that you have used them to a good effect.

Once you have all this information you can start to skill match, that's the second phase.

Find proof that you have the skills needed for the job

Write out all the jobs you have had and the roles involved AND the skills you've used. These might be what I call hard skills - like computer programs you know or soft skills like team leadership, communication skills, that kind of thing. For each role you've done you will have demonstrated a number of skills, so you should end up with a list of skills that you have used throughout your working career (volunteer work counts too).

For each major skill that matches the required ones of the new job write a short descriptive paragraph - literally two or three sentences - about what you did, what skill you used and the outcome of using that skill. For example from a CV written to apply for a PA job it could contain the following:

Special Projects Administrator

Oversaw Global Events area - ensured the flow of timely information so overseas teams could meet promotional deadlines, make informed decisions as to flow and content and host successful events. This information resulted in early printing of brochures, better coverage of promotion and the team feeling very supported and therefore easeful.

Planned, organized business trips - created necessary information & samples which resulted in successful overseas trips with earlier completions on projects

Facilitation & Communication

Inspired Global teachings team to increase levels of communication between all departments, focusing on collaboration resulting in a more efficient flow of information, better use of time and greater harmony reducing blame and increasing teamwork between depts.

Drafted Directors correspondence, handled phone communication and liaised with company foreign agents for Directors thus freeing them to focus on outreach and communication to current project leaders.

As you can see the formula is skill, how it was used and outcome. The important thing is that not all these skills are directly related to a PA 's job, in fact only 50% are. In the first paragraph the main skill is the ability to oversee a project, have the big picture. It hasn't been used in the PA role but it was still successful. The aim is to show the use of a key skill that is important for a PA's job.

This is what you are looking for when you take the skills you have and match them to what they want. Show you have the skill necessary and you can use it effectively.

How to structure your CV

Once you have written them up break them down into three or four sections with headings. These headings will be the main areas of responsibility that you see in this role. You may also have some other skills that don't necessarily relate to this new role, if they show other skills and aptitude then you can also include them in a final skills set with a generic heading. Anything showing the depth of your ability is good.

Head this part of the CV 'Highlights of Professional Experience'. Then list the three or four sections. After that you give a 'Highlights of Career History' (this can leave out any short term non-important jobs but if you are asked about the gaps be honest, have a good answer ready, took time out, wanted to experience something different, whatever was happening for you right then). Then you list your education and I always like to add what computer software knowledge you have at this point.

Vision statement

Some people like to add a vision statement at the beginning above the 'Highlights of Professional Experience' and that is a personal choice. If you do add this then make it what you wish to bring to a role and what you wish to experience by doing it.

Layout and length

Your total CV should not be longer than 2 pages so be selective if you have too much information. You can use small type but make sure it is legible. Lastly - remember all your contact details and if you aren't printing it out double sided then ensure your name is on both pages.

Cover letter

This is the final piece that is the most important when you are going for this new kind of role. Let your passion show, why you want this job, why you think you will flourish in it and what you will bring to it. Show how you will be able to bring an unparalleled enthusiasm for it and what that means for the company when they hire you. Again, be honest, our words communicate meaning but it is the energy behind them that people really listen to. Make sure your words are not empty platitudes, but rather an insight into the kind of person you are and what you will bring to the company. Make them want you!

Jessica offers a free introductory session to discuss how she can help you identify and make the move you want; if you would like to arrange a time for her to call you please email her at jessica@jessicamcgregorjohnson.com or call +34 958 639 593. For more information visit http://www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com/

She works internationally as a Life Coach enabling people to follow their dream and gain fulfilment in every area of life. Using not only the traditional coaching tools of conversation, exploration and creating accountability she also adds in powerful processes of Christopher Howard Results Technologies^{®} and Neurological Re-patterning^TM that enables change to take place both internally and externally. She has worked with many career shifters and particularly enjoys using her own life experience, including her time in the corporate world, to support those making whatever move they choose.