5 tell-tale signs of great CV:
When you’re looking for your next star employee, you’ve probably sifted through countless CVs, and it can often feel like a sea of sameness. Yet, somewhere in that pile is the perfect candidate. Yep, in there somewhere is ‘the one’, that unicorn team player, who will bring fresh ideas, motivation, and real impact to your business.
But how do you spot them among the standard templates, the ChatGPT personal statements and all those buzzwords?
Many CVs follow a similar structure, but the real ones stand out through substance, not style. Let’s break down the 5 key things to look for in a CV to help you identify the top talent.
They Thought it Through
When you see a CV that’s been tailored to your job description, it’s a sign that the candidate is genuinely interested in the role and not just sending out generic applications. Tailoring doesn’t mean a complete rewrite of the CV, but it does mean that the candidate has taken the time to emphasise the skills, experiences, and achievements needed for your job offering.
Look for clues in how closely the CV matches the language of your job ad. Are they highlighting the exact skills you’re looking for? Are the examples of their work experience directly applicable to the tasks they’ll face in the role? Tailoring shows that the candidate has done their homework.
Real Achievements
A good CV doesn’t just list job responsibilities, or the GCSEs they took in 2001. A good CV should shout about real achievements. Top candidates will include results that demonstrate their impact in previous roles. That could include anything from increasing sales by a percentage, cutting costs, improving efficiency, or leading a successful project from start to finish.
When reviewing a CV, ask yourself: What have they actually achieved? Phrases like “improved customer retention by 20%,” or “implemented a new software system that reduced processing time by 40%,” show that they have had an impact in their previous roles AND they know how to talk about it!
Irrelevant/Relevant
It’s tempting to get swept up by an impressive job title or company name. You might see someone has worked for a direct competitor, or the company you hope to be one day.
But what really matters is whether the candidate’s skills and experience are directly applicable to the role you’re hiring for. Make sure they’ve got the right experience not only for the job at hand but also to bring something new to your team.
Look for evidence of the specific technical skills, soft skills, and industry knowledge that they’ll need to succeed in your role.
A Clear Route
A great CV tells a clear story of the candidate’s career path. While not everyone has a perfectly linear journey, you want to see growth, whether that’s moving into roles with greater responsibility, developing expertise in a specific area, or stepping into roles that build on previous experience.
Pay attention to how candidates explain any gaps or changes in direction. It’s useful to know why the candidate took time off, retrained, or shifted industries. If it’s not explained, be sure to ask at interview.
Attention to Detail
It miht sound stoopid, but the smal details of a CV says loots about a canddddates professional-ism and WorkEthic. See what we mean??!
A polished CV, free from spelling errors, with consistent formatting, and well-structured content, reflects an attention to detail that will save you all time in the long run!
Look for CVs that are clear and concise, avoiding overly complicated language or unnecessary fluff. Candidates who can present their experience in a way that’s easy to read and digest are likely to be good communicators.
And, as a bonus, you won’t have to wade through a four-page CV just to find the info you really need!
Final Thoughts
Hiring the right person can make or break a team, and the CV is your first glimpse into whether this candidate is the right fit.
At i2i we pride ourselves on finding you the right person for any role.