A well-written CV isn’t just a formality; it’s your first impression, your advocate, and your ticket to the next step! Yet, I’ve seen brilliant candidates overlooked simply because their CV didn’t reflect their true value.
In today’s competitive job market, aligning your resume or CV with industry best practices isn’t optional—it’s essential. From clean formatting to focusing on achievements over duties, your document needs to sell your story at a glance.
Unfortunately, many capable professionals fall short, not for lack of experience, but because their CV fails to communicate it effectively.
When Potential Isn’t Obvious on Paper
One moment I’ll never forget involved a candidate applying for a Senior Medical Director role at a biopharma company. Their CV landed on the desk of an in-house recruiter—who quickly passed on it. It just didn’t “tick all the boxes,” at least at first glance.
So, I had a candid conversation with the talent acquisition manager. I walked them through the specific ways this candidate’s background aligned with the company’s expectations and goals. It was concluded that the candidate had the depth of experience, the nuanced expertise, and the potential fit that wasn’t immediately obvious on paper.
Thankfully, they agreed to give the candidate a chance. And guess what? The interview went brilliantly. The hiring manager saw exactly what I had seen, and the candidate got the job.
That one second look made all the difference!
The Recruiter’s Role is More Than Screening
This is where experienced recruiters add real value. We look beyond surface-level impressions and formatting quirks. We advocate for talent that deserves a closer look. We connect potential with opportunity.
Let your CV open doors, not close them! And if it’s not doing that, it might be time for a refresh, or a recruiter who can read between the lines.
