7 ways to improve your Safety CV before clicking send

When supporting my mentees over the last 5+ years, I still hear a common disappointment that the only response to their CV is a “unsuccessful on this occasion”, with very little to no feedback given.

The simple message is that it’s quality over quantity when it comes to job applications.

Before you click that send button again, have a think whether these extra checks can make you stand out

Spelling & Grammar?

Let’s start with the obvious! We all know someone in the grammar police, however, nitpicking is very helpful in CVs. Spelling and grammar faux pas annoy people and look unprofessional. If you have a trusted friend who is great with copyediting, get them to have a look over before hitting send.

If you proof your own work, you need to do more than hitting spell check. Read your CV aloud before sending. Do you pause in the same places you add punctuation? Have you written in both present and past tense? Make sure you correct these and look for grammar tips here.

Active Voice?

Write in the active voice to show a dynamic and energetic character. It also serves a purpose in CVs by being concise and creates a faster moving narrative. Recruiters will want to read on if it’s active, as it feels easier to read and more engaging.

Time is of the essence, so make the experience easier for recruiters. If you struggle writing in this style, there’s plenty of examples on Google to search for. I’m guilty of straying away from this style and I’m sure you could find some improvements in this article. But practice does make perfect; a useful starting rule I found was to remove adverbs.?

Customer Service in Mind

Are you focusing on service? Think about a time where you have been complimented for your approach at work or when you received a commendation from your boss. Include these details on your CV and other ways where you have gone over and above

Remember your customer centric approach doesn’t just have to be shown through customers. Think about your other stakeholders you deal with and how you gave them a positive experience. As safety professionals we deal with so many people; maybe ask them to give you a shout out on the LinkedIn recommendations feature??

Phrases and word choices

You don’t have to be a wordsmith to write a CV. But you do need to convey your success and attributes that make you the ideal candidate. A simple win is; are you matching the words and phrases from the job ad?

People apply to jobs but forget to amend the CV to match their full skillset to the job spec. If you deal with a certain acronym or system mentioned, include it on the CV to mirror what the recruiter is looking for. Of course, only include if you have actually done that aspect at work before!

Dazed and confused

Your CV makes sense to you, but it might not be clear to others. Waffling on a CV only results in more errors. You don’t want recruiters reaching for the dictionary; those reading your CV first may not be the hiring manager or understand the subject fully, so keep it straightforward.

Have a trusted friend or spouse read your CV. If they understand it, chances are you have included the right level of content. You also have an honest opinion from someone who knows you best and will be able to add more of your attributes onto the page.??

Devil in the Details

Too many pages or lengthy paragraphs will cause problems for your reader. With each job post receiving an average of 25+ applications, it is so important to provide essential details only. How long should your CV be? People will tell you different answers but a good rule is no more than 3 pages which has worked for me. Extra content can always be placed into a cover letter or bio.?

However, be ruthless with your CV. Do you really need to tell a recruiter about minor details 5 years ago, or will they be more impressed with skills from your current role? Think about the best details to showcase in your introduction and go from there.?

History repeats itself

Often without realising, we make the same point but use different words in the CV. Every word counts so rather than repeat yourself, expand on a point you know is relevant to the role. Always check whether you have said the same thing twice.

Share your CV with someone that does a similar job as you; maybe a mentor or ex-colleague. They will challenge where you have said the same thing and can offer other parts of your job to include.?

Save and continue

We are told time and time again to keep it simple and with good reason. You want your points understood straight away and above everyone else to stand out from the crowd. But to quote Einstein on a word of caution

'If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you probably don't understand it yourself’.

Use the headings above as a reminder before sending your CV as others may not be so diligent. Although it takes more time, your application may benefit from extending into a biography, cover letter or refreshing your LinkedIn profile.?

The other challenge recently has been the use of AI and its application within the recruitment sector. I’m no expert on this however, if the industry does rely on advanced algorithms and machine learning, then it is more important than ever to focus on perfecting your CV and personal brand.??

Let's chat if you would like to discuss safety mentoring and coaching further

Wishing you the best and good luck!

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