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Selling yourself – your CV remains your ultimate weapon

Although it can be time-consuming to put together, and you may wonder what should actually be in it, your CV remains your ultimate weapon when it comes to landing that dream job. But while the importance of a good CV is undisputable, most candidates still trip up when putting one together. According to Tiffany Wong, associate director, human resources and transactional services divisions at recruitment agency Robert Walters, there are two common problems: candidates are either overly detailed, writing too much about their work experience, or they don’t provide enough information about their employment history.

Candidates should consider three key points when putting a CV together, says Wong. First, take care with the overall presentation so that it will make a good impression on the reader. Second, approach it as your unique selling proposition, rather than just a record of what you’ve done. Third, make sure you get someone else to critique it, as they will be more objective. “A CV is your marketing tool, so you need to showcase your strengths and achievements. It also acts as your representative, so be careful with grammar and spelling. Always check it, and get someone more experienced to read it through,” Wong says.

Clarity is essential. Make sure the CV shows your name and your contact details clearly – don’t hide them away in the header or footer. “We have seen CVs where we don’t know the name or contact number of the applicant even after reading through the entire document,” Wong says.

Wong says a good CV shows the candidate has made solid progress inside their current company. “It’s a big plus if the CV is very ‘clean’. By that, I mean it should demonstrate that the candidate has shown resilience, stuck with their company, and not moved around a lot,” she says. Wong adds that she is impressed if the candidate can write concise sentences that encapsulate their responsibilities in each role.

It may be the digital age, but CVs are still presented in quite a traditional way, Wong says. “Video CVs are rare in Hong Kong. Most candidates still approach their job application in a formal way, so will send a formal CV. Perhaps some companies will expect video CVs in the future, if they are in a creative industry or the media. But for more traditional industries, I think the [traditional] CV will remain, and one will still be needed to secure a job interview,” she says. Nevertheless, Wong believes that add-ons to a traditional CV, like a short video clip of the candidate, may become more prevalent.

As for candidates putting their CVs on social media sites, or setting up their own websites or blogs to help promote themselves, it depends on what type of role they are seeking. “If you’re a professional, I don’t suggest putting your CV on social media. Instead, create a LinkedIn profile with a professional portrait,” Wong says. LinkedIn is a controlled, professional environment, while other sites may be less regulated, she notes. If candidates decide to share their CVs on social media sites, they should be careful about who has access to their personal information, Wong cautions.

At previous career forums, Wong says it wasn’t the stand-out CVs themselves that impressed her, but the people behind them. “It was the soft skills of the people that won me over, things like communication skills, confidence and gravitas. I’m impressed by people who are able to walk up to me and share the type of roles they are interested in,” she says.

One of the most hotly debated questions in the recruitment world is whether a personal profile is necessary. For those venturing into the world of work for the first time, it may be a valuable addition, says Wong. “A personal profile enables you to show potential employers your written skills, and your interest level regarding the job or company that you’re applying for. As you climb the corporate ladder, a personal profile becomes less important, as your experience and achievements will speak for themselves.”

As for the kind of jobs applicants are interested in, Wong says that as Hong Kong is such a big financial hub, most candidates are keen to work for large financial services companies. “The financial services industry is the one that candidates love to join,” she says. “They are more reluctant to apply to industries that are more labour intensive, or known to have long working hours, such as F&B, manufacturing, and engineering.”