If you want to stand out as the perfect candidate for a specific job role, one of the most effective ways you can do this is by making sure you CV presents your most relevant skills and experience, for the role in question. Therefore, it’s preferable that you tailor your CV to the specific job role.

Unsurprisingly, for any growing business, recruiting new staff is a well-considered element due to the fact if they’re going to give you a job role within their company, they want to know you’re worthwhile the investment and as a job hunter it’s important to bare this in mind.

Therefore, tailoring your CV is a key factor in helping you secure a higher response rate. It may take a little longer to format and put together but will pay off in the long run.

When you tailor your CV, it’s important to fully understand which of your qualities, skills and experience are the most relevant to that particular vacancy.

Here are XCL Group’s four top pieces of advice for doing so:

Thoroughly read the job description

Make sure you read the job description bit by bit and in detail, so you can pull out all skills needed for the job role. An idea might be to print it out and highlight all the aspects you know you experience in, with evidence to support and then list them on a piece of paper, so you can start to think/write how you can best present these in your CV.

E.G. if you’re applying for a site manager role, and one of the job tasks requires you to manage contractors, then how would you effectively demonstrate this skill?

If you already have direct experience within a particular area, write a sentence or two about a particularly challenging project and how you overcame any difficulties.

However, if you’ve not worked in a site manager role before, but you have worked on construction sites, you could highlight how you previously coordinated with, and effectively delegated to, other tradespeople.

TIP: Remember that many employers now use software which is able to scan applications before being reviewed by a person. So they pick up keywords and phrases related to that job role, therefore don’t underestimate the value of using key words, written in the job description.

Showcase the most relevant skills first

If you hold some of the most important skills required for a certain job role, don’t hide them and tailor the CV by repeating them at the top of your CV in your profile section, as this will ensure they’re noticed first.

Be selective

Try not to go on about experience that isn’t relevant to the role you’re applying for, if it doesn’t add value to the employer.

E.G. You may be proud of season you spent working in a ski resort years ago, but if you’re now applying for a position high up within the Construction industry – don’t be taking up space on your CV that could be used for more valuable experience.

However, if you spent that ski season working as a chef and you’re applying for a hospitality role, then of course it would be relevant to include it.

TIP: Try not to cut too much information out, especially entire roles because this will leave gaps in your employment history and in turn perhaps core industry skills.

Tweak your personal statement

Explain to the potential employer why you want to work for their company within that particular role. Do some research and find out what makes the organisation who they are and ensure your personal statement reflects the qualities and tone of the business.

If they are a web developer, you can take a more relaxed stance than if you were applying for position within a corporate law firm, for example.

Additional things to think about:

·        Always be truthful. If you don’t have a particular skill, don’t list it. You can always address any gaps in your personal statement and explain that you’re keen to learn new skills and progress within the role.

·        If you are applying for a job in another city, but are willing to relocate, indicate this next to your contact information.

Remember, the difference between landing your dream role or not can often be down to submitting a highly-personalised and well-researched CV and a generic one.