Essential Elements of a CV / Resume – A Comprehensive Guide for New Recruitment Consultants
A well-structured CV / Resume is the cornerstone of any job application, providing a snapshot of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and suitability for the role. As a new recruitment consultant, it’s vital to understand what information a CV should contain so you can evaluate candidates effectively. This guide will detail each key section that should be present in a CV or resume, drawn from industry best practices, ATS (Applicant Tracking System) insights, and expert recommendations.
Contact Information
- Name – Clearly displayed at the top of the CV.
- Phone Number – Ensure the candidate provides a reliable contact number.
- Email Address – Should be professional (e.g., john.smith@gmail.com vs. funkyjohn123@gmail.com).
- LinkedIn Profile– Increasingly, candidates include a LinkedIn profile. Make sure it’s professional and aligns with the CV.
- Location – General location (e.g., city and country) is useful, especially if relocation is necessary.
Note – Some candidates may omit personal details like date of birth or marital status, as they are generally unnecessary for most roles and can contribute to bias.
Professional Summary / Personal Statement
- Purpose – A brief overview (3-4 sentences) of the candidate’s professional background, key skills, and what they’re seeking in their next role.
- Tailored for the Role – This section should be customized to match the job being applied for. A generic statement could indicate a lack of commitment or understanding of the position.
- Focus on Value Proposition – What can the candidate bring to the company? Look for specific achievements or skills that set them apart, not just vague descriptions like “hard-working” or “detail-oriented.”
Example –
“Experienced project manager with over 10 years in the tech industry, specializing in leading cross-functional teams to deliver software solutions. Proven track record in agile methodologies and improving operational efficiencies by 25%. Seeking to leverage my expertise in a dynamic startup environment.”
Key Skills and Competencies
- Hard Skills – These are measurable, job-specific skills such as programming languages, software proficiency (e.g., SAP, Salesforce), data analysis, or marketing tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
- Soft Skills – Though harder to measure, these include interpersonal skills like communication, leadership, time management, and conflict resolution. Soft skills are critical in roles requiring collaboration and client-facing responsibilities.
- Relevance to the Role – This section should be tailored to the job description, ensuring alignment with the necessary skills. Many ATS systems prioritize keywords, so candidates should match the job ad’s terminology.
Example:
- Project Management (Agile, Scrum)
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- SQL, Python, and Java
- Communication and Negotiation Skills
- Strategic Planning and Decision Making
Professional Experience
- Company Name & Location – The name of the employer and general location (city and country) should be included.
Job Title – Always clearly state the candidate’s position within the company.
- Dates of Employment – Include both the month and year of starting and ending the role. Look for any gaps in employment and be prepared to ask about these.
- Key Responsibilities – A bullet-point list of the main tasks and duties performed in the role. This should focus on achievements and results rather than just listing everyday tasks.
- Achievements and Metrics – Where possible, candidates should include quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 15% in Q4” or “Led a team of 10 developers to deliver a $2M project on time”). This demonstrates their impact in previous roles and their potential to add value in a new role.
Example Format:
XYZ Corp, London, UK
Project Manager | Jan 2019 – Present
- Managed cross-functional teams across 3 countries, delivering software solutions for Fortune 500 clients.
- Improved project completion times by 30% using Agile methodology.
- Reduced project costs by 15% through better resource allocation.
- Awarded “Employee of the Year” in 2020 for outstanding project leadership.
Education & Qualifications
- Degree/Diploma Name – Ensure the exact qualification is listed, along with the major (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science).
Institution Name – Name of the university or institution where the candidate studied.
- Dates Attended – The period they studied, including the year of graduation.
- Key Achievements or Honors – If applicable, include academic achievements such as honors, awards, or scholarships.
- Relevance to the Role – While degrees are important, focus on whether the qualification is essential to the job. For senior positions, industry-specific certifications or ongoing professional development (e.g., a PMP for project managers) might hold more weight than a degree earned years ago.
Example
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Oxford
Graduated: 2016 | GPA: 3.8 | Honors: Dean’s List
Certifications & Professional Development
- Certifications – List any industry-relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Six Sigma). This is especially important in technical fields.
- Professional Development – Candidates should also list any relevant courses or training they’ve completed, particularly if it’s recent and enhances their suitability for the role.
Example
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ)
Projects or Portfolio
- Projects Section – This is particularly important for roles in creative industries or tech where showcasing completed projects can demonstrate skills. For example, developers may list open-source projects or GitHub repositories, and designers may link to portfolios.
- Details of Projects – Include project names, duration, tools/technologies used, and the candidate’s specific contribution to the project.
- Link to Portfolio – In roles like design, copywriting, or photography, candidates may link directly to their portfolios or websites to showcase their work.
Example:
Project: E-commerce Website Development
- Role – Full-stack Developer
- Duration – 6 months
- Technologies – React, Node.js, MongoDB
- Contribution – Built a dynamic, mobile-responsive e-commerce platform for a client, which led to a 20% increase in sales within the first month of launch.
Volunteer Work or Community Involvement
- Relevant Volunteering Experience – Volunteering can highlight skills like leadership, teamwork, or social responsibility. Look for volunteer roles that are relevant to the job, such as project management experience or mentoring roles.
- Community Involvement – Any community engagement or causes the candidate is involved in can reflect their values and alignment with the company’s culture.
Example
Volunteer Project Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity, 2019 – Present
- Organized and managed a team of 15 volunteers to build homes for underprivileged families.
- Implemented new project scheduling system, reducing build times by 10%.
References
- Professional References – Some candidates will include references on their CV. While not always necessary at this stage, you may want to ensure that these are from credible, professional sources (e.g., former managers or clients).
- Endorsements/Recommendations – If a candidate has LinkedIn recommendations or other written endorsements, they may include a note of this on their CV.
Example
References available upon request.
Additional Sections (Optional)
- Languages – For roles requiring bilingual or multilingual candidates, it’s essential to list language skills with the level of proficiency (e.g., Fluent in French, Intermediate in Spanish).
- Hobbies & Interests – Though optional, this section can offer insight into the candidate’s personality. Look for hobbies or interests that align with the job or the company culture (e.g., team sports for teamwork roles).
- Publications or Conferences -In academic, technical, or research roles, candidates may include papers or presentations they have authored or delivered.
A well-structured CV or resume provides a comprehensive snapshot of the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and potential for the role. As a recruitment consultant, understanding the key sections and what to look for in each can help you identify strong candidates more efficiently. Make sure the CV is clear, concise, and relevant to the job, with emphasis on achievements and measurable outcomes that demonstrate the candidate’s ability to add value.
Acting as a recruitment trainer, use the information above to create a one hour training for a new recruitment consultant, which trains the consultant to assess a CV / Resume for content, assess the quality of the CV / Resume and the applicant based on the CV / Resume and interview the applicant based on the CV / Resume.
For more information contact
jameshickman@searchmarkets.com
www.searchmarkets.services
