CV Tips for Healthcare Professionals by Match Medics
- Research the company.
It’s always good to have some knowledge of the company and position you’re applying to – even just a quick google search is sometimes enough. This way you’ll know who you’re talking to if they contact you, and
You will know if you’re applying to a position you actually want.
- Tailor your CV for them.
You’ve researched the company – you now have a better idea of what they do, what their core values are, and what kind of experience/skills they will need from you. If you fit the bill, highlight this in your CV. Pro Tip: Use specific words and phrases from the job spec or company website on your CV
- Don’t leave out important information.
Meaning: Dates (month and year), Job title, Name of employer, Main duties held in that post, are all crucial to add in your CV. The same goes for education – you should have full dates, name of qualification, name of educational institute, etc. You should also add an explanation for any gaps you may have in your CV. If a recruiter/employer proceeds with your application they are going to ask you about these things anyway, so there is no point in leaving anything out. Your chances of them contacting you are much higher to begin with anyway, if you already have all of these things included.
- Avoid spelling mistakes.
Between spellcheck and google, there should be no spelling mistakes in your CV. If you’re unsure of the spelling of a word, a quick google search will get you your answer. Never rush your CV, and always get someone to proof- read it!
- Use an easy to read font.
Using a fancy font may make it look pretty, but that’s not much use if it’s impossible to read. Keep it professional and clear.
- Most relevant first.
Your most recent education/experience will also be the most relevant to the employer/recruiter, and so this is the first thing they should see. One way to make them skip your CV, and jump right on to the next is by starting it with the first job you had in 1997.
- Sum yourself up.
Meaning, add a profile. Just a few short sentences about how many years of experience you have, key achievements in previous jobs, in which field you are most experienced and what you will add to their organisation is enough.
- Keep it clear and concise.
Did you know that recruiters spend on average 6 seconds reading through a CV? That means you have 6 seconds to catch their attention. List the main duties you were responsible for in each job, but don’t turn it into a novel. It shouldn’t take a paragraph to explain something that can be explained in one short sentence. Less is more!
- Make sure it looks good.
You don’t need to be a professional designer or an expert in Word to make your CV look good. Just make sure it’s neat, and that it’s easy to read. Things like using bullet points, and being consistent with the font sizes you use can greatly improve the look of it.
- Don’t Lie.
Just don’t do it. We all want to make ourselves sound good to prospective future employers, but lies and over-exaggerations are always found out. Always be careful that the information in your CV is correct, such as dates etc., as mistakes can cost you an offer if it looks like you haven’t been truthful. No one wants to hire an employee they can’t trust.