Recruitment expert reveals the ‘world’s best CV’, and promises it will land you a six figure salary
A RECRUITMENT expert has spent five years creating what is hailed as the world's best CV - which promises to land jobseekers a six-figure role.
The single-sided, 450-word document combines the most effective elements of more than 1,500 professional CVs, with the "perfect" content to catch an employer's eye.
It reveals the key words and phrases, core skills and numerical data that potential recruiters "crave" but rarely see in standard CVs.
The résumé is designed for senior management positions in retail, finance and healthcare, where average starting salaries range from between £50,000 and £100,000.
But it can be used to apply for any job in almost any sector by making just a few small tweaks.
The template is based on the findings of a five-year study by corporate coach and psychometric trainer, Rita Chowdhry.
Chowdhry, the founder of award-winning London-based career consultancy Savran, said the template will work for anyone looking to land a dream job or promotion in 2020.
"Writing a good CV is notoriously difficult, with hundreds of experts each suggesting conflicting ways to go about it," she said.
"This template is by no means perfect - no CV ever can be.
"But it encompasses the very best bits from more than 1,500 examples and includes what all employers everywhere crave: cold, hard facts and figures," she added.
More than half of Brits are considering finding a new job in 2020 - up eight per cent from last year, research shows.
The number of people feeling unhappy in their jobs is also on the rise, increasing by 10 per cent year on year.
But standing out in a fiercely competitive crowd can be difficult - studies suggest that the average candidate's CV has just seven seconds to make an impression before it is binned.
Chowdhry's résumé incorporates the common "best bits" from 1,510 CVs that were used successfully for interviews.
It also draws on the views of HR departments, CEOs, managing directors and business owners from the UK who offered their feedback.
TOP TIPS FOR THE WORLD'S BEST CV
- Do not include a photo or date of birth.
- Keep it short. It should only be one page in length, or a
maximum of two if you are in a senior position.
- To impress 'D' personalities (typically MDs and CEOs), and
'C's, such as CFOs, use clear headings and bulleted sections, written in a
simple, consistent font such as Arial or Times New Roman 11 or 12.
This makes it easy to comprehend for 'D's, who tend to skim
read, while also including the structure and consistency that 'C's look for.
- Keep sentences short and concise, and give proof supporting
your career achievements.
This appeals to 'D' and 'I' types who want facts and
statistics, and 'S' and 'C's who are put off by excessive self-promotion.
- List your work history in chronological order.
- Impress recruiters by referring to their company's values
in at least one of your career achievements.
- Give at least one example of how you are motivated, and
how you have and will motivate others.
- Mention two activities that demonstrate your personal
values. This could be charity work (fundraising by running a marathon, for
instance).
- Use positive language throughout that indicates a 'can-do'
attitude.
The resulting template features easy-to-digest information that can be skim-read within just a few seconds.
This includes a short introduction, simple contact details, and bulleted core skills, interests and qualifications.
Crucially, it also takes into account the different personality types of recruiters - essentially making the CV 'personality-proof'.
Chowdhry uses the 'DISC' psychometric category system which identifies the four main personality types.
These are 'Dominant' (active and task focused); 'Influencer' (active and people focused); 'Steady' (passive and people focused); and 'Compliant' (passive and task focused).
To engage goal-driven 'Ds' and data-focused 'Cs', three-quarters of the CV includes numerical statistics and factual evidence.
The remainder is geared towards impressing people-orientated 'Ss' and motivational 'Is', by highlighting working relationships with peers, customers and line managers.
Sexual orientation, religious beliefs and any other ";non-vital" details, including photographs, should be left out to avoid any unconscious biases the recruitment panel may harbour.
The stock phrases, "I'm a good team player" and, "I enjoy spending time with my family and friends" are also noticeably absent.
Chowdhry, the author of new personal development book Get SAVVI, said: "The key to an effective CV lies in its ability to connect with and impress decision makers of all personality types through the use of considered language, layout and presentation.
"The best CVs, therefore, are 'personality-proof', in that they appeal equally to each person involved in the recruitment process."
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