The start of the year is a popular time for updating your CV and shopping around for better options. It’s a time when people start thinking about a new job, or a new career but what often holds them back is not knowing how to talk about who they are, what they do, all that they can offer and how they add value. These are all part of our professional brand, our talent and value showcase.
So here are some brand development and CV writing points to get you started thinking about how to talk about yourself. Watch out for other blogs in the series about making the most of your brand and CV, to make sure you’re staying up to date with all the latest trends…
I published a post a while ago on words you should and shouldn’t use on your CV. Times change and CV fashions and trends certainly do. More than ever the focus is on achievements, active statements and demonstrations of what you’ve done and can do in the future.
‘Moreover’ and ‘Meticulous attention to detail’ made the should not use words list, along with:
Interpersonal skills
Proficient in Word, Excel (etc.)
Team player
Results-driven
Track record
Hard worker
Would you expect to be taken seriously if you weren’t a hard worker? Do we really need to say we are proficient in Word these days? No.
These skills and attributes are such an accepted part of our working culture now that it’s irrelevant to use them on your CV, they’ve become meaningless, empty labels. Post-Covid, most people can claim to be proficient in Zoom and video calls; it doesn’t make you stand out for the right reasons.
Looking at countless CVs and LinkedIn profiles, the words that make my ‘avoid’ or at least stop and think list include:
Dynamic and/or proactive
Problem solving
Decision making
Managed
Responsible for
Why are they on the list? Let me explain… (and perhaps vent a little in a gentle, branding coach, totally professional way).
Problem solving is a part of our everyday functioning, especially at work. We solve a myriad of problems all day long so give it context and tie it to the types of problems you solved. Ditto decision making. If you want to express how great you are at looking at a situation, seeing the angles and possibilities and presenting solutions that make a positive impact on business growth then…good. Great. Do it. With an example.
Boost your brand with power words
Demonstrating what you did shows what you can do in the future. That’s what recruiters and hiring managers want to see. Think about words that have impact, words that represent you at your best. (Remember, it’s not bragging if it’s true).
Dynamic fell out of favour a few years back but I´ve noticed it creeping back into job descriptions and CVs. Proactive is a job description and CV stalwart. But what do they really mean?
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself two questions:
Is it obvious?
Can you demonstrate it?
If you’re struggling to answer 1, then you might need a fresh perspective. If you’re struggling to answer 2, then you might need some help to articulate your achievement, or you need to move on to a strength you can demonstrate. It’s all about the evidence.
Past performance (and success) is seen as evidence of future action (and success).
Finally, ‘team player’. It’s a just a bit tame. Dull, uninteresting. Is that really one of your strengths? Or just a CV filler word you either think you have to say or haven’t thought to question?
One other tip, because it comes up time and again on CV NO! word lists, is ‘Responsible for…’. It’s so generic, it tells the reader next to nothing about what you did. It’s also very passive, like ‘Experienced in…’. Swap these out for active verbs and say what you actually did.
In fact, here’s another tip:
Collect active verbs that you feel represent your brand.
When you’re looking at job ads and reviewing role descriptions, see what active verbs have been used. My current favourites include piloted, navigated and spearheaded, but even a good old ‘led’ is better than ‘managed’ or ‘responsible for’.
Created, delivered, achieved, initiated…there’s lots to choose from.
If you’d like some help defining the value of your brand and/or getting your CV up-to-date, why not get in touch for a free intro call? I can help you find your ‘you’ words, refocus your responsibilities into achievements and help you sell your career value with clarity and confidence.
What’s stopping you?
Email louise@careertherapy.co.uk Linkedin Louise Newton
Photo by Paul Campbell on Unsplash