We always speak of CVs as a chance to sell yourself. A rare opportunity to be as conceited as you like and speak of your incredible achievements, exceptional career journey and enviable skill-set, all without a single critique.
But, are we relying too much on these examples of our consistent and ingrained behaviour and should we instead be presenting the premium value we are capable of adding to a new business?
You should be using your CV as a business proposal and pitching yourself as an asset, an unmissable investment opportunity that will without a doubt bring premium value and return on investment (ROI). In the same way as a business pitch, you should be leading with the value you can add rather than listing what you have been responsible for in the past.
Ask yourself what value you are trying to portray? What is the outcome you are hoping to achieve? The ROI you can bring to the table and the evidence backing this up? How would you approach this if you were looking to secure investment? What experience has allowed you to grow a business and create value through efficiency and how is it relatable to this organisation? Why are you a sure bet for success?
You also need to think less about your own achievements and focus on the motivations of the hiring manager. What is the key thing that the person you are meeting is hoping to achieve? What is your premium to them and why can you; out of your vast pool of competition, add that value the most?
Your recruitment partner should be helping you to identify the business goals and aspirations of the company to allow you to accurately articulate your value in a meeting and once you have this, you are able to present yourself as an investment opportunity to the business evidenced by a selection of examples with concise evidence of how you have behaved, what you have achieved personally and importantly, through others, which is vital.
By tailoring your CV to the aspirations of the business and selling yourself on the value you are capable of adding, you can shape the premium you will contribute to that particular organisation and articulate it effectively in a conversation that will bring your career achievements to life both in a compelling and relevant way to your audience.
