| Tip 5 - Analyze Ads and Job Descriptions to Identify Key Words
Learning how to analyze the key words that employers provide in help wanted ads and job descriptions is a key element in creating powerful CVs. For example, read the ad Roger found for an Accounts Receivable Manager below and see how many key words, phrases, or skill descriptions that it includes.
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Accounts Receivable Manager
Seeking experienced A/R Manager to oversee accounts, manage billing and collections, train accounting and clerical staff, develop status reports for management and prepare monthly balance sheets. B.A. Degree or A.A. Degree with minimum of 2 years experience required. |
Even though this ad is small it contains 12-13 key words or phrases that should be addressed in Roger's CV. Roger can also key words from an ad like this to create headings for his CV such as:
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Key Word Skill Headings
Management of A/R Accounts
Billing and Collections
Supervision of Accounting and Administrative Staff
Balance Sheet and Management Status Reports |
Tip 6 - Identify and Solve Employer's Hidden Needs In addition to the skills or needs listed in the ad shown above, the employer will have many more needs that Roger should identify and address in his CV and cover letter. For example, this employer will need someone who can deal effectively with other departments, research accounting issues and records to solve problems. To beat today's heavy competition for jobs, it's important that you identify and anticipate the full range of needs each employer faces and show how you can solve those needs.
Tip 7 - Sell the Benefits of Your Skills
Most CVs provide a list of duties that each applicant has been responsible for--without explaining the benefit of those skills to employers. For example, a secretary's CV might state she can type 80 wpm and is extremely accurate. This statement lacks an explanation of how her typing speed and accuracy benefit an employer's bottom line. The real benefit is that the employee can produce more work and ultimately save the employer money. A better statement for this person's CV would be:
| Selling The Benefits of Skills
• Achieved top production volume by maintaining high degree of accuracy with typing speed at 80 wpm.
• Cut labor expense over $6,000 annually by eliminating the need for part-time wordprocessing staff |
Tip 8 - Create An Image That Matches The Salary You Want
As you write your CV, keep in mind the level of job and salary you want. Be sure to create an image that presents you at the appropriate level. For example, language used in a CV for an $8 an hour position is much different than the language used for a $16 an hour position. I recently met Lynn, who had held a Health Insurance Claims Management position making $42,000 per year. She had retrained for the accounting field and hadn't yet gained any "direct accounting experience" although she had prepared monthly accounting reports as a Department Manager.
I was appalled when she shared the CV she had been counseled to create. It began with this statement:
| Seeking an entry level position in the accounting field.
Now what pay rate do you think this statement would motivate employers to offer Lynn? A much better statement would be: Seek an Accounting position utilizing my experience:
• Managing a department and accounting for up to $250,000 in monthly claims.
As you can see, the last statement greatly elevates Lynn's image and will be much more likely to generate salary offers comparable to her last pay rate. |
As you can see, the last statement greatly elevates Lynn's image and will be much more likely to generate salary offers comparable to her last pay rate. |
