The last couple of years have been a muddle of different working practices for employers and employees. We’ve had work from home, hybrid working, back to work and the great resignation when workers left their current role in search of better working conditions or to set up their own business. Today, it is just as confused with employees unsure whether theyare financially better off working in the office or at home as they look to save money in the Cost-of-Living-Crisis. One of the other consequences of the crisis is that it is no longer a thriving job market and if you are considering looking for a new job in 2023 you need to perfect your Curriculum Vitae (CV) so you get the attention you deserve. According to Indeed, the average time spent looking at a resume for most employers is six to seven seconds so here are some top tips to make sure yours stands out from the crowd:

1. Industry Specific - make sure that your CV is industry related and that your skills match what is on the job specification. It is all too easy to batch send out generic CVs without tailoring them to the potential employers’ needs, do your homework to see what qualifications and experience they required and address any gaps.
2. Typos and Grammar - nothing is more off-putting to the hirer if you have mistaken in your CV. Get a couple of people to check it so that you know when you send it, a simple error won’t cost you getting the job.
   
   
3. Looks Matter - a dull CV will get you nowhere, even if it is the best content in the world. Create a visual balance using colour and bold text to make the most important points jump off the page in a single glance.
   
   
4. Keep It Short - you may have a lot to say but the hiring managers do not have time to read it all so save it for the interview. The four key things they are looking for are work experience, education, skill set and personality so one page is ideal, two pages are the maximum. 4. Social Media - any astute employer will scan your social media pages such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram for an insight into what your personal brand looks like. Keep it clean and professional when you are applying for jobs
5. Technologic Competence - your technical skills could give you the edge over other candidates so proudly boast of any skills you have, especially those outside of the norms such as image editing, design, SEO and HTML.
   
   
6. Keywords - take the time to pick out dynamic buzzwords for the industry and business you are applying for and use them on your CV. This will ensure you make an impact and convince the hirer that you can understand their company values.

7. Don’t Forget the Basics - it can be all too easy to be focused on selling yourself that you forget the basics. Make sure to include your name, contact number and personal email address (date of birth, address, gender, place of birth, marital status and driving licence are optional).

8. Professional Email – after all, your hard work creating the perfect CV, don’t let yourself down when you send it via email. Include a covering letter that explains why you are interested and suitable for the job, the best way to contact you and double-check for typos.

9. Make It Personal - if certain things are important to you – for example, the environment or corporate social responsibility - you should address this on either your CV or email. There is no point working for a company that doesn’t have the same ideals as you.