📷 Konstantin Mishchenko
This post was written by our very own Senior Manager Jenny O'Halloran. Specialising in the fashion industry, Jenny provides her insight on getting your CV noticed,
Sadly, this year the retail sector has been rocked by the sudden closure of brands, there are a lot more candidates looking for work, so it’s never been more important to make your cv stand out.
Start strong
Start with a summary of your skills and key accomplishments. Make it snappy and to the point to attract and grab their attention from the outset. Might sounds silly to highlight, but please make sure your cv is in chronological order starting from the current or most recent one and following up with previous jobs below. And no more than 2 pages please.
A personal profile is important and tells the recruiter exactly who you are, so you want to make the right impression.
Example: I am a hardworking, enthusiastic, and committed individual with a proven track record in Merchandising. I have strong Excel and analytical skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills. I am eager to be challenged to grow and expand on the skillset I have gained through my experience in the fashion sector.”
Responsibilities
Instead of just listing your past responsibilities, make sure your cv stands out by emphasizing your results showing your accomplishments:
What did you do?
How did you do it?
Try not to use ‘we’ if you did it say you did it.
Think bigger picture also – why you saw the opportunity, who did you have to partner with to achieve the results.
For example, instead of saying “I helped to increase product engagement for Brand X”, write “I increased product engagement by 42% for Brand X”.
Adapt your cv for the job you want
I always advise candidates to cross reference their cv with the job description for the role you’re applying for. Don’t embellish anything, but we’re all guilty of not selling ourselves and sometimes reading a JD can highlight tasks you’re doing day-to-day that aren’t necessarily on your cv. It will take longer, but it will help get you the perfect role for you so it’s time well spent!
Highlight achievements
I’m a big fan of listing some key achievements under every role. It shows the employer growth and personal development. It proves how you have grown and changed in your roles, and the accomplishments you have achieved. This will show that you have learnt a lot from your past positions, and that you are committed to learning and expanding your skill set.
Demonstrate that you are connected
Whether it be at university or in past job roles, you will have met an array of different people, so make sure this comes through. It shows that you have strong communication skills, and this is something that employers value greatly. When you get to interview stage, be nosy and link in with the line managers you’re meeting taking in their career development.
Show industry insight
An awareness of the industry you are applying for will show the recruiter that you can stay on top of trends. You will be a lot more attractive to employers if you are able to demonstrate knowledge of the industry, so make sure you are up to date with any news and industry changes. This will also help you if you reach interview stage – all social channels should be viewed and absorbed.
Use power words
Using power words will emphasise your accomplishments and will give your CV additional impact. Include words such as adaptable, innovative, implemented and achieved for each of your roles, and follow up with impressive results or outcomes which demonstrate what you have delivered.
To summarise
Creating the perfect CV can be quite time-consuming, but it is your opportunity to show off your accomplishments and skills to the employer. The more you study the job description and the industry, the better equipped you will be to make your CV stand out.
About Handle Recruitment
Finding a new permanent or temporary opportunity at a great brand should be enjoyable & working with great people non-negotiable. We believe that everyone should be able to fulfil their potential and we have been helping great brands improve their talent processes and attract exceptional people since 1978.
We provide leading entertainment companies, social networks, global media brands, sports bodies, retailers, and tech platforms with talent solutions that make a difference. Our consultants focus on a unique specialism, from Finance, to Sales, Marketing, HR, Legal, Office Support, and Tech but are tied together by the industries we support.