Why Your CV Might Not Be Getting Attention

Are you sending out your CV for project management roles but aren’t getting any interviews? If this sounds familiar, the first place to start is by taking a close look at your CV. Even if you have the right experience, your CV’s presentation could be preventing you from standing out. For individuals transitioning into project management, whether from retail, security or other industries or those who’ve recently emigrated to the UK, crafting a CV that appeals to UK employers can feel like a challenge. But with the right approach, you can create a CV that catches the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

Did you know? It takes recruiters just 6–8 seconds to scan your CV before deciding if it’s worth reading further.

Fact: Many employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications before a human even sees them. So key words are important!

Here’s how to have your CV get noticed!

 

1. Keep Your CV Simple and Professional

Simplicity is key when it comes to CVs in the UK. Avoid using complex fonts, graphics, or excessive design elements that might make your CV harder to read. A clean, easy-to-read CV is far more effective. For instance, fonts like Calibri or Arial are universally accepted and easy to read on any device or software. If you use a fancy font or format, you run the risk of your CV becoming unreadable on someone else’s computer, especially if it’s not a standard font.

2. Skip the Personal Information

In the UK, you don’t need to include personal details like a photo, your age, or your state. UK employers are more focused on your qualifications and experience. So, what should you include?

• Your name
• Professional email address
• Phone number
• Location (e.g. London, United Kingdom or Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

There’s no need to add your full home address. Just mentioning the city or region is enough. This keeps your CV focused and professional.

3. Use a Professional Email Address

Your email address can say a lot about you. Avoid using playful or casual email addresses like sexydancer@gmail.com or finegirluche@gmail.com Instead, opt for an email that is professional and easy to identify, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com It’s also worth considering having a separate email address specifically for job applications. This helps you keep your job search organised and easily spot any important emails related to your applications.

4. Tailor Your CV for the UK Market

When transitioning into project management, your CV should focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the roles you’re applying for. Even if you don’t have direct project management experience yet, there are many transferable skills from previous roles in retail or security that can be valuable in project management. For example:

• Time Management: Managing staff rotas and prioritising tasks during busy periods to keep things running smoothly.
• Leadership: Have you led a team, even in a non-management role? This shows you have the potential to lead projects.
• Communication: Whether it’s managing customers, coordinating tasks, or working with a team, strong communication skills are essential for a project manager.
• Organisation: Project managers need to be highly organised. Have you managed schedules, handled logistics or coordinated resources in your previous role?
• Problem-solving: Every project faces challenges. If you’ve solved problems in your previous roles, make sure to highlight this.

5. Make Your CV Easy to Read and Accessible

It’s not just about what you include in your CV, but also how it’s presented. Keep it focused – your CV should highlight up to 10 years of work history, not your entire career. Ensure that your CV is well-organised and easy to navigate. Use headings and bullet points to make it clear and scannable. Additionally, it’s a good idea to include your LinkedIn profile (if you have one) so that employers can find more information about your background.

Did you know? Recruiters and employers typically expect CVs to be about 1 or 2 pages.

The idea is to keep your CV straightforward, with clear headings and bullet points that highlight your experience and key skills. If you’re submitting your CV online, make sure it’s in a widely accepted format like PDF or Word to ensure it’s easy to open for recruiters and hiring managers.

Conclusion: Write a CV That Gets Results

By following these practical tips, you can ensure that your CV is not only professional but also tailored for the UK job market. Keep it simple, clear, and focused on your transferable skills, and you’ll increase your chances of standing out to recruiters in the competitive field of project management. Are you ready to create a CV that gets noticed? Start by applying these tips and make your next job application your best one yet.