How to write a recruiter CV

As a recruiter, you may see scores of CVs every week. No doubt you have a clear idea in your own mind of the things you look for when studying a CV and thinking carefully about which applicants to recommend to your client. But what about your own CV? It can often be much easier to be that window looking in on someone else’s career than it is to objectively appraise your own.

Avoid the clichés

One thing you certainly know to avoid in your recruiter CV are those tiresome clichés. You are used to the wallpaper effect of many a CV. There is a tendency for some applicants to hide behind lazy recruitment language like ‘good communication skills’ or ‘being able to work independently as well as in a team’. Another no-no is using unsubstantiated superlatives like ‘hard working’ or ‘highly respected’. You can see the eyes glazing over already. Don’t fall into this trap with your own CV.

Write a focused professional profile

To get immediate engagement with the reader it is a good idea to mirror the job title you are applying for in the first sentence of your recruiter CV. Even better, why not create a tag line in large letters near your name for instance as a recruitment consultant, recruitment manager or researcher? Then write an original profile that gives an insight into the personal qualities you bring. Keep the profile short, no more than 4 to 5 lines.

Stick to the facts

Making sure your achievements stand out and look convincing is the number one priority for your recruiter CV. Whether you are involved in winning new contracts, researching candidates effectively or managing campaigns – at the end of the day it is about results. Give specific examples of achievements and support these with facts and figures. Providing vague information on ‘meeting targets’ or KPIs doesn’t look convincing. You want the reader to able to picture your achievements in their mind. Show rather than tell.

Length and formatting

As a recruiter, you know most people scan read CVs. This is supported by numerous pieces of research that suggest between 5 and 30 seconds is spent on average reading a CV. There is little point including lots of detail so give yourself a 2-page format and stick with that. Make sure the headings stand out and the copy succinctly written. Use as few words as possible to make your points.

Tailor your recruiter CV

Always read the job description – and especially the person specification – for any role you apply for. This will shape your thinking in how to adapt and tailor the CV to demonstrate the necessary requirements. If you are serious about your application, it makes sense to spend time over the CV and align to the specifications. Investing more time upfront will pay dividends.

This article is written by Neville Rose, Director of CV Writers. Please do connect with me via LinkedIn.

Check out our CV writing service with details of our packages that include LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. You can get things started with a Free CV review. I am also a qualified career counsellor and provide Career Counselling services for people looking to change career paths.