How to Make Your CV Resonate

Most Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are feeling confident about their firms’ prospects for business growth in the coming months, according to our latest Professional Hiring Index. The hiring outlook is expected to improve as well. With hiring managers receiving so many CVs, what can you do to make sure yours stands out? Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional, the following tips will help you create a CV that can help you move one step closer to the interview process.

Fill Gaps in Your Employment History

If your CV is vague or incomplete, a hiring manager may think you’re deliberately trying to conceal information. Many people have been unemployed for a long period due to the recession; employers understand this. But it’s important to explain what you’ve been doing while out of a permanent job. For instance, if you’ve been working part-time or as an interim, volunteering, or taking classes, ensure you include that information.

Provide Clear Job Descriptions and Show Results

Explain the responsibilities you had in a previous job and how your work contributed to the company’s overall success. If you provide scant details about your former duties, a potential employer may think your experience isn’t relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Watch Spelling Mistakes

Even the most experienced professionals have made careless – and costly – mistakes when submitting their job application materials. Don’t be among them. Research by Robert Half shows many executives are not inclined to hire a candidate who submits a CV with even just one or two typos in it. Also, if your CV is disorganised or otherwise sloppy in its presentation, you could come across as lacking both professionalism and good communication skills.

The Finishing Touches

Take time to tailor your CV to each job you’re applying for. Positioning the information in your CV in a way that shows how your skills and experience are well matched for a particular role makes it easy for a hiring manager to understand why you could be a strong candidate.

Include a Cover Letter

And don’t forget to include a well-written cover letter, if you have the opportunity. This is not always possible when applying for jobs online, but when you’re able to include a short paragraph or two within the body of your email or the space on a job application allotted for ‘comments’, go for it. The cover letter allows you to expand upon your strengths and accomplishments and express why you believe you’re the best person for the job. It also can shine a spotlight on your communication skills, which many employers greatly value and specifically look for in candidates today when hiring for accounting and finance roles.


Andy Dallas is the associate director for Robert Half Financial Services Group, specialising in the placement of banking and capital markets professionals in the City of London.