How to Write a CV in a Post-Pandemic World

The traditional CV (curriculum vitae) has been a key part of the recruitment process for many years but it’s changed and developed over time. Post-lockdown has brought with it many changes, from the attributes employers are looking for in an applicant’s CV to hybrid workplaces, technical skills and resourcefulness.

During the pandemic lockdown years, many people took up new hobbies, discovered new talents when forced to work from home, set up side hustles, took on homeschooling and upskilled with online training and adapted to new technology.? But how do you incorporate this into a post-pandemic CV that’s going to attract employers?

The post-pandemic CV

There are some elements of the traditional CV that still stand; name, telephone number and email address, work experience, education, qualifications and training. But then in starts getting interesting; indeed, there are some who would argue that CV or Curriculum Vitae is no longer trendy and you should be using Resume as a more accurate description of your credentials.

Currently, there are 1.3 million job vacancies in the UK, significantly lower than a typical pre-pandemic August, as many 50+ people took the decision to start their own business or retire early during Covid-19.

But as we head towards kids going back to school and the end of the summer holidays, more and more people are starting to think about career changes. There’s also the paradox of the ‘sandwich generation’ and the cost of living crisis starting to really bite into people’s purses. This is driving the over 50s generation, who’ve perhaps retired early or have older children going off to college or university, back to work.

So, whether you are just starting out in the job market, looking for a career change or going back to work, how do you write a CV – sorry, Resume – in a post-pandemic world that gets noticed?

Top tips to writing a CV that stands out

There is certain information that you must include in your CV. Start at the top with your name (you don’t need to add CV, Curriculum Vitae or Resume), then add your mobile number and email address. But before you go any further, read our top tips to help you craft a CV that really does stand out from the rest.

• Presentation – you have a 4-5 second opportunity to catch the recruiter’s eye – agency or employer – and make that crucial good first impression. A key to this is how you present your CV. It must be clear, it must be succinct, it must be eye-catching and it must provide all the necessary information about you and your credentials. Remember, there will be a pile of CV’s the agency or employer will have to trawl through so if you can’t grab their attention within a few seconds, it’s unlikely you’ll get a second look. Whilst bullet points are a good way to present your information, and makes it easy to skim through your education, qualifications and experience, don’t overuse them as that can be off putting.
• Accuracy – check it, check it and check it again. Spelling and grammar mistakes just aren’t acceptable. It’s a good idea to get someone else to check it for you.
• No more than two sides of A4 – this shouldn’t be too difficult for a college or university leaver, or someone moving into their second or third role. However, for the over 50s returning to work, it could be a challenge. There are a few cases where a CV might stretch into three pages, i.e. senior executive roles, academics or medical people. You may need to restrict your previous experience to just your job title, company and a short overview. That said; make sure you don’t miss out relevant information. In addition, keep it portrait and not landscape. Not only is it easier to open and fit the screen, particularly if viewing on a mobile device, it is also easier to read.
• Include soft skills – employers are not only looking for the right experience and qualifications for the job on offer, they are also looking for the right person that will fit into their teams. This includes a range of soft skills, such as flexibility, adaptability, creativity, communication skills, multitasking, problem-solving, analytical skills and attention to detail. The more you can demonstrate your soft skills within your CV, the more you are likely to stand out but don’t restrict them to just one paragraph or the summary. Spread them out throughout your CV.
• Complete the gaps – whilst it is acceptable that you may have gaps in your job roles, employers will still want to know what you did in that time. For example, if you took a sabbatical to focus on volunteering or you started a business that didn’t work out, then add that to your CV.? It demonstrates that you were proactive and busy. If you’ve upskilled, like taking online classes and learning new talents, add them to your CV, too.

It’s often the case that you may look at several types of roles. For example, as well as considering marketing roles, you may also apply for communications or PR roles. Different companies have different job and skills requirements so it’s always worth tailoring your CV, and application letter, to the job description.

Nobody’s CV is the same as someone else’s; it is unique to you, your education, experience and skills. If you’re struggling with writing your CV, let Auxato help you.

Auxato is a leading UK executive search and recruitment consultancy specialising in sourcing the best communications, PR and marketing professionals.