Ways to Market your CV like a pro

If you’re looking forward to a new job and have put a lot of time and effort into creating a new resume, it can almost break your heart when your applications are repeatedly rejected or simply ignored.

However, if you only apply to publicly advertised jobs, you’re missing out on a huge pool of opportunities. The perfect job is out there, and you can get it – you may just have to dig a little deeper to find the right hands for your resume.

If you want to catch the attention of employers, follow these tips to market your resume like a pro:

• First, make sure your resume is error-free

No matter how good you are or how skilled you are at marketing yourself, you won’t get anywhere in your job search if your resume isn’t top-notch. The document should be well designed and easy to read. It should be a breeze for recruiters to find the important information they are looking for when they search your resume. Keep your resume clean and readable by using lists with bullet points. Make sure there is white space between each section, use a clear and simple font, and use bold for subheadings and important information.

Also, make sure that the most important and meaningful information appears in the top third of the first page of your resume, as recruiters will read this first. Don’t forget to tailor your resume to the specific company and job you are applying for. Finally, triple check your spelling and grammar.

• Make your resume easy to find

You have probably already applied to posted jobs, and you should definitely continue to do so. However, you’re not fully using job boards to your advantage if you don’t also upload your resume to these sites. This way, recruiters and employers will actually approach you.

Hiring agencies use job sites to find, identify and contact suitable candidates for their roles. If you keep your resume updated on the right job websites, you will show up in their search results. In fact, the jobs will come to you.

Try uploading your resume to the big names like Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed, as well as any niche sites that are relevant to your target industry or role.

• Make the most of LinkedIn

Most recruiters use LinkedIn as an important part of their recruiting strategies, and in many industries, LinkedIn is the first place to go when a new job opens up. For this reason, a well-written LinkedIn profile is essential. Not only will this allow recruiters to target you directly for relevant jobs, but it’s also very likely that employers will look at your profile before inviting you in for an interview. Make sure they like what they see.

Your profile should provide a detailed look at your skills, strengths, and professional experience. Build further credibility by asking current or former colleagues to leave referrals and endorse your skills as well.

• Send unsolicited applications

When you apply to a job posting, you’re inserting yourself into a huge pool of competitors who have all applied for the same job. It’s better to get your foot in the door before a position is even advertised.

That may sound impossible, but it’s not really. All you have to do is send out speculative applications. This essentially means approaching companies you’d like to work for and getting yourself on their radar. Even if the company doesn’t have a job for you right now, you’ll be at the top of their list when a position opens up.

Do your research and create a list of target employers where your skills and personality would be a good fit. Then use each company’s website and/or LinkedIn to find email addresses of relevant recruiters. Once you have the contact information, send a customized email expressing your interest in the company, explaining why you would be a good fit for the team, and what type of position you are looking for.

• Don’t forget to follow up

If you’ve applied to a variety of jobs but haven’t heard back from most companies, it can’t hurt to follow up. This may even give recruiters an impetus to review or reevaluate your application.

Keep a simple spreadsheet of all the jobs you apply for. If you don’t hear back within a week, send a polite, professional email asking if the person has had a chance to read your application yet. Make sure to state that you are interested in the position, why you would be a good fit, and that you would appreciate the opportunity to interview.

By incorporating these tips and techniques into your job search strategy, you can significantly increase your chances of finding the right job.

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