Propeo Executive Search

There are numerous books and massive Internet resources all aimed at helping you write your CV.  Given that the business of Propeo Executive Search is all about evaluating and presenting top talent to our clients, we have some views on CV construction that we'd like to share with you....

Draft it yourself!  

Even if you use the services of a professional CV writer to finish off your CV, we think you should make a serious attempt to write the document youself.  Why?  Because the thought process required to write it will be good for you, forcing you to reflect on your career and get your strengths and achievements  into sharp focus.  This will also help you prepare for presenting yourself at interview.   

Laying it out

Here is how a search consultant or employer will read your CV - They will first scan all the way through it to gain an overall impression of your background, and then they will go back over it to drill down on some of the detail.  The way in which you structure the information should make it easy for the reader to do this. 

Detailing your achievements

Your CV is a representation of your career achievements, and so the most important component of the document is your career history.  Presented in reverse chronological order, it should show clearly the company, division (where applicable), job title, and dates.  Add a brief description of the company or division.  Then, using bullet points, state clearly and concisely what you achieved in the role.  N.B. Focus on achievements rather than responsibilities.  

Here is a fictitious example to show what we mean...

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AAA BANK, 11/2005 - 10/2008

DIRECTOR, CORPORATE BANKING   Dublin

Role encompasses full P&L responsibility for bank's corporate client base in Ireland. 

ACHIEVEMENTS:

* Led comprehensive strategic review, resulting in adoption of new strategy by board

* Grew revenues by 40% and profit by 60% in two-year period

* Streamlined the credit approval process, improving operational efficiency by 30%

* Introduced team communications process, increasing staff satisfaction ratings by 40% 

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Tailor it!

If possible, before submitting your CV to a potential employer, first get a good understanding of the requirements of the specific role in question, and tailor the document to highlight your best strengths in relation to that particular role.  If you are working through a search consultant, ask their advice on which points to bring out most strongly.  

Qualifications!

When listing qualifications, ensure you add dates and the name of the awarding institution, and highlight any course content that is relevant to the position in question.  

Do this and your CV will be superior. 

P.S. Forget about printing off your CV for posting or faxing - no-one will be interested - everyone uses eMail and will want it electronically.

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