Hear it from the experts: Lack of experience is no justification for submitting an untailored CV to the hiring manager. They further add, even if you have the strongest urges to do it, DO NOT.
You, making excuses for a chaotic employment record, only show one thing, and it is that you simply don’t care enough about getting hired. So, give them something worth a second look. Moreover, always remember that your potential matters to a recruiter more than your past. This blog has everything the inexperienced candidates need to hear about – how do I write a strong CV?
An Expert’s CV Writing Guide for Raw Recruits
Job seekers struggling due to a lack of experience is a widespread issue, especially among young individuals entering the workforce. Here are some eye-opening insights that will not only prove the point but also establish that these candidates desperately need help.
- In the last two decades, there has been a significant 12% drop in youth employment. The reports have linked it to a mismatch between the skills young people have and what employers need.
- Many young candidates are unable to land a job role just because the company requires experience for an entry-level position. Thus, they feel locked out by inefficient hiring systems that overlook their potential in favor of certain qualifications/capabilities.
If you, too, are going through this rough patch, it is time that you update your graduate CV using the tips below.
1. Try to Think About How You Have Exhibited Your Skills
A lot of job seekers make the same mistake and do not think about how they can uniquely portray their skills to the recruiting officer. First of all, instead of focusing only on job titles or formal roles, think about the times when they have shown initiative, teamwork, or problem-solving. Next, they can also include evidence of abilities in real-life situations to make the document feel authentic and convincing.
2. Make Sure You Write A Skills-Based CV
It is also important that instead of asking the question: How do I write a strong CV? You should say: How do I realistically present my skills? The answer is that your document should highlight what you can do, rather than where you have worked. This is a perfect approach for people with limited job history. This means you need to group your abilities under categories like “Communication,” “Leadership,” or “Technical Skills,” and then give short examples of when you used those skills.
3. Start the CV Without Following a Template
It is one of the biggest mistakes to pick up a random template and just fill in your information. They might look neat, but they can limit your uniqueness. This is why the candidates must design their own layouts. No matter how simple or basic they will be, there will still be room to highlight what you think matters most. Moreover, you can customize all the sections and stand out.
4. Process of Writing A Good Personal Profile
To write a professional CV with an effective personal profile, it is important that you use a tone that intrigues recruiters and keeps them reading for more. Apart from this, you need to share your passion, goals, and the value you bring to the role. You should also avoid generic phrases like “hardworking” because it is very cliché. Instead of this, you can write goal-driven and mention your motivation to learn quickly. Lastly, you must keep it short and genuine.
5. Use A Cover Letter to Expand on Your CV
The candidates with less experience also have the trick of ‘using a cover letter’ to compensate for it. For example, if the CV is the “what,” the cover letter is the “why.” Hence, it can be used to talk about why the role excites the candidate, how it connects with their background, and what they could bring to the table. Besides this, the job seekers can even explain gaps or a lack of experience here because a thoughtful cover letter creates a personal connection.
6. Build Up More Experience To Expand Your CV
Finally, if your CV feels thin, do not wait and quickly start building experience actively. You can try internships, volunteer work, online projects, or freelance gigs. Even if they are small, each one can build a story of growth. Furthermore, platforms like LinkedIn and Fiverr offer quick ways to get started.
The Frequently Asked Questions of a Job Seeker
Q. What is the seven-second rule for CV writing?
The recruiters typically spend just seven seconds scanning an employee record; thus, it has to be visually clean, instantly engaging, and tailored to the job.
Q. What are some soft skills that I can add in here?
ü Your ability to effectively communicate.
ü The analytical thinking and resourcefulness.
ü Teamwork and time management for shared goals.
ü Emotional Intelligence to handle workplace relationships.
ü Leadership skills and critical thinking.
Q. What is the simplest format that I can use?
A chronological format is, honestly, the simplest and most widely accepted. Hence, you should start with contact details, followed by a summary, skills, work experience, and education.
The Summary
To sum up, there is only one piece of advice: do not get demotivated when a job description has a required experience that exceeds your current experience. Simply hire a resume writing consultant, specialised in inexperienced clients, and ask him how do I write a strong CV?
Once you do this, they will take care of everything, but if you want to DIY, then you can follow the effective tips mentioned in the blog. They are both tried and tested by many job-seeking candidates and will prove to be a lifesaver for you, too.
