1. Complete all required fields and include your CV upload
There’s a reason we ask for both. Although it may feel as annoying as a ‘babalaas’ after a big night out, you do need to upload your CV and type in your work history manually too.
This ‘duplication’ is necessary because, when it comes to online recruitment platforms, the info you type in your profile is more visible than the CV, which recruiters would have to click to view.
Recruiters use the individual fields to shortlist candidates who meet their requirements. For example: ‘’Five years’ experience in the IT industry’’ would be two separate fields recruiters can shortlist on – namely the number of years work experience you have, and the sector you’re in.
If the candidate has not completed these in the required fields, they likely won’t be in the running if a recruiter filters based on these two fields.
The CV then allows for the system to read keywords in case recruiters want to search by specific terms once they have done their shortlist, and also allows for more personality to come through – should they decide to open the CV after short-listing through filters.
Don’t be shy to express your personality when describing your skills and experience to date, however you should also ensure that you use the correct formats and don’t make any grammar or spelling mistakes. Bottom line – if your profile is sloppy or not completed in full, you won’t be considered for the role.
2. Include work experience that is relevant to the job you’re applying for
You may have worked as an au pair during your gap year in the UK. Although this role won’t be relevant if you’re trying to land an IT job, you may have picked up some skills that would be good for the recruiter to know, such as time management, conflict resolution, and so on.
If you don’t have much experience, consider including special projects, non-profit causes or sports teams that you have been a part of.
You can include “piece jobs” (part-time work) so that there are no gaps in your CV, but don’t go into detail about that cashier job at Checkers or waitressing job at Mugg & Bean if it is not relevant to your current career aspirations.
As a general rule of thumb, you should include your last three jobs that are relevant to the industry and the role you’re applying for.
3. When it comes to skills, be thorough – and mention your soft skills too
Hard skills are technical knowledge you have learned or training that you have undertaken, like budgeting, project-management and other specific skills like coding, a third language and more.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal habits and traits that make you; they represent your personal brand and give recruiters an idea of how you work and what is important to you.
