I've Reviewed 400+ CVs in the Last 2 Weeks - Here's What I've Learned

Salespeople Have the Best Roles to Create a Great CV

Sales roles offer a unique opportunity to create impactful CVs that showcase clear outcomes and value. As someone who has reviewed over 400 CVs in the past two weeks, I've identified several common issues and learned valuable lessons that can help anyone, regardless of industry, improve their CV. I recently saw a post that resonated with me—it said that right now, employers are looking for reasons to not hire you because they simply can't call everyone who looks like they could be a fit. Instead, they look for reasons to cut down the list. This means your CV must be flawless and compelling to avoid being eliminated early in the selection process.

Common Issues in CVs

1. No Numbers and Targets: Many CVs lack quantifiable achievements and targets. Numbers are crucial in demonstrating your impact. Specify your targets and your performance against them, such as "Increased sales by 20% in Q1" or "Achieved 150% of quarterly sales target."
2. Lack of Product and Industry Details: Mentioning the products or services you sold and the industry you worked in helps contextualize your achievements. It gives the reader a better understanding of your industry experience and expertise. Without this, it can be hard for recruiters to gauge your background.
3. Insufficient Role Details: Senior roles often have minimal descriptions. A CV should offer a detailed account of responsibilities and accomplishments. Avoid generic descriptions and focus on what you uniquely brought to the role.
4. Unclear Sales Approach: It’s often unclear if the candidate is a proactive "hunter" or a nurturing "farmer." Clarifying your approach to sales can highlight your strengths and suitability for specific roles.
5. Undefined Team Dynamics: Understanding whether you worked independently, relied on a support team, or thrived in a collaborative environment is crucial. This detail can significantly impact how your potential fit within a new team is perceived.

What Makes a Good CV

Creating a compelling CV is about presenting a clear, detailed, and quantifiable narrative of your career. Here are my top 5 tips:

1. Use Numbers and Targets: As a Sales person, we know numbers are everything. In your responsibilites, outline your targets. In your achievements, outline your performance against them - this shows your ability to achieve goals. Whether it's sales figures, growth percentages, or customer acquisition rates, numbers add credibility.
2. Outline the Products/Services you’ve sold and the Industry: As a recruiter, companies engage me often to find people with XYZ background. After numbers, I need to satisfy this for my client. Give context to your achievements by explaining what you sold. Provide an outline of the industry & your company’s position within it. This WILL make your experience more relevant to potential employers.
3. Detail Your Roles: For each position, include specific responsibilities and accomplishments. Avoid generic descriptions and focus on what you uniquely brought to the role.
4. Clarify Your Sales Approach: Specify whether you are more of a hunter or a farmer. This helps employers understand your sales strategy and how it fits with their needs.
5. Highlight Team Dynamics: Explain your working style and team interactions. Whether you lead, support, or work independently, this information is valuable.

Apply This Advice to Any Industry

While this advice is tailored to sales roles, the principles can be applied universally. Clear, quantifiable achievements, detailed role descriptions, and context about your industry and approach can enhance any CV.

Need Help?

If you’re struggling to get callbacks and need personalised assistance, consider booking a discovery call with me or jump right in by purchasing the services you'd like and booking a kick off call.

• Book a Discovery Call: Schedule a No Obligation Discovery Call
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By refining your CV with these insights, you can present a compelling narrative that stands out to potential employers. Let’s work together to craft a CV that truly represents your value.