Many people complain that they have registered their CV online and keep on applying for several positions but to no avail. Today, I thought to jot down some tips that have helped in my career development. I have been fortunate enough to receive good job opportunities despite being a young professional with limited work experience.
Tip 1: Put yourself in the employer’s shoes
One should always ask: If you had this vacancy to fill, what traits or credentials would you be looking for in a candidate? The question will point to your key improvement areas. In my case, my ambition was to secure my first job with a Big Four accounting firm as an auditor. I started researching from my early student life. I reviewed the Big Four selection criteria, read successful auditors’ stories, and reviewed auditors’ profiles on LinkedIn. All this helped me to identify the desired personality traits and professional certifications required by the Big Four. Based on this background work, I applied to three firms. I was fortunate enough to receive two positive responses and started my career with Ernst & Young.
Tip 2: Invest in yourself
You see people rush to have the latest technology, with extra features every time. The same notion goes for employers. They also need people who have kept up with market trends by improving themselves. If you don’t improve, you will be obsolete in the market, like redundant technology. After securing my first job, I did not stop investing in myself. I improved my horizon by enhancing my knowledge through certification in the domain of risk management, fraud investigation and information systems audit. My second employer, a leading telecoms company, shortlisted me because of my information-systems audit skills.
Tip 3: Your CV Is your catalogue
Before we buy a product, we look at the catalogue for the features that product will bring with itself. Our CV plays the same role. Our CV is the catalogue, which tells the employer what skill set a potential employee would bring. An average recruiter or employer spends four seconds to review each CV. Unless you have something to offer on the first page of your CV, the employer is not going to shortlist you. Here are some tips for CV drafting:
• There is no standard length for a CV, but on average two pages is enough for an employer to digest.
• Have your professional picture. Do not put a casual picture.
• Put the most relevant achievement or skill on the first page.
• The phone number and the email should be somewhere at the top of the first page.
• Check for spelling mistakes.
• Be specific about your skills, backing with achievement history.
• Do not use too many colours, better to use only black and maybe blue.
• Do not provide unnecessary details such as passport number, hobbies or a driver’s licence unless required for the position.
Top 4: Your CV is a living document
You must update your CV with every new achievement. Do not leave it to the end when you are desperately looking for a new opportunity.
Tip 5: Increase your online visibility
My current employer contacted me through my LinkedIn profile. Increase your online visibility on a professional networking and recruitment site and keep on updating. Seek good work recommendations for your LinkedIn profile. The recommendations should be from your different stakeholders such as a supervisor, line manager, client, customers or other associated functional employees.
Tip 6: Have patience
Keep on investing in yourself and improving yourself until you get a good job opportunity. If you are a fresh graduate than do not wait for a full-time paid job – go for internship (if not paid, go for free), attend training and seminars and enhance your knowledge by attending short courses or attaining relevant certifications.
Remember, branding yourself is not a one day job, it is a continual process. It takes years of effort to craft and polish yourself and your abilities to become a demanded professional in the market. My best wishes to you all in your careers.
Arif Zaman is group senior internal auditor at a conglomerate based in Dubai
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