AdviserWelcome to the Career Centre CV Drop-in. I am Naomi, and I will be reviewing your CVs today with a focus on what employers and recruiter software actually look for.
AdviserThe first thing I always check is whether the language in your CV mirrors the language in the job advertisement. If the employer says 'stakeholder management', use that exact phrase — not 'client handling'.
AdviserSecond: never just list responsibilities — always show the result. 'Managed social media' is weak. 'Managed social media and grew the following by thirty per cent in six months' is strong.
AdviserThird: before submitting to any large employer, run your CV through a free ATS checker online. Over seventy per cent of applications at major companies are filtered by software before a human reads them.
AdviserFourth: if you have a period of unemployment, do not hide it. A brief honest explanation — 'took time out for family care' or 'completed a professional qualification' — is far better than an obvious gap.
AdviserFifth: include your LinkedIn URL and, if relevant, a link to a portfolio or GitHub. Recruiters increasingly check these before the interview stage.