CV Remains Key To Securing Job Interviews

Senior recruiters see CV as important as a decade ago, but it is increasingly considered to be a starting point for additional research on the Internet

London, UK – 29 December 2008 – A survey of top recruiters, by the executive career service Experteer.co.uk, today revealed a word processed CV is still considered to be the most important element in a job application although its use by recruiters has evolved. More than half (57%) of 50 top recruiters surveyed believe the importance of a CV in applying for jobs has not changed from ten years ago but 86% see it as a starting point for additional research into candidate, as competition for available jobs increases.

Torsten Muth, Managing Director of the UK’s executive career service Experteer.co.uk comments, “The importance of a well written and presented CV is undisputed, but technological advancements mean that senior executives should optimise their CVs to suit the new search techniques of top headhunters.

This is especially true in the current job market, when companies and headhunters have such a vast choice. They have very limited time for candidates whose CV is not up to the highest standard, and the Internet is a key tool for them to weed out weaker candidates. Job seekers need to go the extra mile in preparing their CV and finding the best spots to showcase it on the Internet.”

Based on the research, Experteer has come up with the following five tips for senior executives to optimise their CVs for Internet job hunting.

1. More than half (57%) of recruiters never print CVs out and instead view them on a computer screen – make the most of this by including hyperlinks and a screen-friendly font, as well as by ensuring that there are no spelling mistakes which will be clearly flagged by automatic spell checkers;
   
2. Be careful of over claiming and check any inconsistencies between your CV and your online profile – almost one in nine (86%) of recruiters use search engines to delve into CVs, while 59% research candidates’ past media coverage on the Internet;
3. Ensure that the CV has a short and punchy opening introduction – the survey found that 43% of senior recruiters spend less than a minute reviewing each CV;
4. Senior executives should highlight their soft skills in the CV – recruiters listed membership of professional bodies, mobility and fluency in foreign languages as some of the most highly rated skills listed on a CV;
5. Don’t restrict yourself to a single recruitment consultant, make the most of the internet by posting your CV (anonymously if need be) online. Most headhunters trawl key recruitment websites for potential candidates.

Muth added:“Senior executives often do not take the time to stand back and look at their CV, or to ask for help with updating it. They can often be surprised by the difference that a professional, well- structured CV can make to their chances of getting the job that they are applying for over an equally-qualified candidate.”