What HR Managers Want To See In Your CV

HR managers spend a significant amount of time reading resumes, evaluating applicants, throwing resumes in the trash, and calling qualified applicants. Their job is no mean feat – just imagine the sheer number of professionals looking for jobs in Singapore. It is safe to assume that they know when a CV owner is worth calling or if he will just be a waste of time.
The opinion that matters the most is that of an HR manager, especially when it comes to creating your resume. After all, your CV is the first thing that a potential employer will see. How do you make sure that your resume creates a good first impression enough to get past the HR manager? Here’s a list of what they are looking for in a CV:

• A clean layout. You wouldn’t want to read a document full of blocks of words. You want an easy-to-read, clean-looking CV. So mind the font you use (Arial or Verdana), the spacing and margins, and your use of bullet points. Preserve your document’s layout by converting it to PDF.
• Highlighted elements that contribute to the job description. The HR manager is looking for a perfect fit in their company. Hence, you want your CV to shine with words and details that will convince him that you are indeed a great fit. Place these important details on the first page of the document, or bold them so they can easily be seen.
• Short and sweet. If you have to go over one page, go ahead. However, three pages can be too long for an application. Unless you’re applying for a job that has three different sets of responsibilities, keep words to a minimum – just what the HR manager needs to hear.
• A professional email address. The HR manager will immediately have a bad impression about you if you have an email address like cuteandcuddly@gmail.com. Use your nickname and surname with a reputable email platform such as Gmail. And of course, don’t use your current company email address when sending your CV.
• Answers to questions. For instance, if you are applying for a job in another location, indicate in your resume that you are willing to move. You don’t want the HR manager to wonder whether to call you or not just because your home address is far from his office. You want to be proactive through your CV, so answer questions and address any concerns that the HR manager may have in mind.
• A killer cover letter. In all honesty, HR managers aren’t very excited about cover letters. They may just browse through it or skip it altogether and just download your CV. So you have to make sure that your cover letter is well-written, with a brief summary of your qualifications and experience that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Make it seem like it is communicating to the employer, and that it does not look like a general e-mail message.

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