The success of your job search often depends on the quality of your resume. This is especially true if you apply for a competitive role. When choosing among dozens of candidates with similar qualifications, a recruiter is most likely to choose someone with a strong resume that contains relevant skills and accomplishments. By giving your resume a quality update, you are more likely to get more interview offers.
However, it is challenging for job-seekers to improve their resumes as they are not aware of what exactly to change to make a resume better. This is when a professional CV review can make a difference. By showing your resume to an expert and listening to their feedback, you can fix the common mistakes and give your resume a head start.
A free CV review service is offered online on many sites. For example, https://cv-review.org/ offers critique and feedback from an actual resume writer. A reviewer will explain the strengths and weaknesses of your resume, and recommend how to fix them. After a free check, you will receive an email with personalized steps to make your resume more effective, achievement-driven and attractive for recruiters.
The advantages of a free CV review for your job search
- Find out what recruiters think about your resume. It is hardly possible to know how hiring managers see your resume if you don’t work with resumes. A CV reviewer will explain the first impression of your resume, and whether it looks professional and can set you apart.
- Get personalized advice. There are lots of resume writing tips online, but in fact, what to include and what to leave out depends on the situation. A reviewer will give you personalized tips and strategies for your career situation. Based on these tips, you can improve the content, looks, and structure of your resume.
- Address the career issues. Such issues as employment gaps, changing jobs every few months or changing careers need to be explained, otherwise the employer will toss your resume. A professional reviewer will give you some tips on how to do this best.
- Correct all mistakes and shortcomings. Recruiters don’t like resumes with typos, poor grammar or syntax. After a CV review, you’ll know exactly what should be fixed in a document and how to make it more effective.
4 Ways to get noticed by recruiters
Most people see job-search as the process of applying to positions advertised online. However, it is more effective to let the recruiters find you. Here are some ideas for a passive job search:
Use your network
According to the statistics, over 70% of jobs are filled through networking. So, if you are in the middle of a job search, inform your friends, former colleagues, and alumni that you are looking for a new opportunity. Ask if someone can recommend you to the company you’d like to work for. Consider writing a job search post on social media.
Prepare a list of references who can give positive comments to the employer about you. Ask people if you can share their contact details with employers. If you would like to network online, keep an updated copy of your resume at hand so you could share it if needed.
Perfect your LinkedIn profile
Most recruiters start sourcing new talents using LinkedIn. If you have a complete and informative profile, recruiters will contact you more often. Create a strong profile headline, explaining what you specialize in and what your biggest strengths are. Complete all sections in your profile so that it receives an “all-star” status and appears higher in search results.
It is also necessary to write a persuasive About me section and add as many skills as possible. Ask your former colleagues or clients to leave positive testimonials about your work. And, of course, expand your number of connections. The more people you are connected with the more opportunities you will be able to find in your network.
Set up a professional website
Another way to promote yourself as a professional and get found by recruiters is by creating a personal website. You can upload your resume there, briefly describe your experience and values. On a website, you can publish a portfolio of work or case studies. It is also a great way to promote your personal brand.
To set up your website, you don’t need coding skills. Website hosts like Wix allow everyone to build a website for free, and the process is quite simple. You can add a link to your website to a business card, a resume or a LinkedIn profile.
Write industry-specific articles
Most recruiters look for candidates online to check their social media pages and online presence in general. And if they find articles written by you in business magazines or industry media, they’ll be pleasantly surprised and you’ll instantly get a higher chance for an interview. Writing professional articles is a great way to promote your expertise and become visible.
Before you start networking actively and applying for jobs, make sure that your resume is effective and does not contain “red flags” that could turn off recruiters. A professional CV review is a good way to receive a professional and personalized opinion about your resume and correct it if necessary.