Your CV: Get Noticed, Get Interviewed

Your CV is often the first impression you make. In a busy recruitment market, you need to make sure it captures attention quickly. This article will help you understand how to get past that initial scan and into the 'yes' pile.

Understanding the First Read

Recruiters and hiring managers spend very little time on a CV initially. They are looking for key information that matches the job description. Think of it as a quick scan for essential skills, experience, and keywords.

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before a human even sees them. These systems look for specific terms from the job advert. If your CV doesn't have them, it might be rejected automatically. Even without ATS, a human reader quickly checks for relevance. For example, if we're recruiting for an Import Operations Coordinator, we'll scan for "imports," "customs," "declarations," or "shipping documentation."

What Stands Out to a Recruiter

We look for clarity, relevance, and impact. Your CV needs to be easy to read and quickly show us why you're a good fit.

• Job Titles and Companies: Make sure your previous roles and the companies you worked for are clear.
• Key Responsibilities & Achievements: Instead of just listing duties, highlight what you achieved. Use numbers where possible. For an HGV Class 1 Driver, this might be "consistently met delivery targets" or "maintained 100% compliance with tachograph regulations."
• Keywords: Check the job description for important words and phrases. We currently have roles like Night Transport Operator, Transport Operations Planner, and HGV Fitter/Technician. Make sure your CV reflects these terms if they match your experience.
• Contact Details: Ensure your phone number and email are correct and prominent.
• Location: For jobs in Suffolk, clearly state your location or willingness to relocate.

Tailor Your Application

A generic CV rarely gets you very far. You must tailor it for each role you apply for.

• Match the Advert: Read the job description carefully. If it asks for experience with specific software or types of cargo, ensure you mention this on your CV if you have it.
• Highlight Relevant Experience: For a supply chain management role, focus on your planning, logistics, and optimisation skills. For a warehousing job, talk about stock control, MHE operation, and safety.
• Quantify Your Impact: Instead of "managed a team," say "managed a team of 8 warehouse operatives, improving picking efficiency by 15%." This shows real value.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Typos and grammatical errors make a bad first impression. Get someone else to read it too.

What to do this month

• Review your current CV and compare it against a specific job advert you're interested in, like an Import Operations Coordinator or HGV Class 1 Driver.
• Identify 3-5 keywords from the advert that are missing from your CV and add them naturally.
• Choose one past role on your CV and rewrite its bullet points to focus on achievements rather than just duties.
• Check your contact information and ensure it's easy to find at the top of your CV.