Does your CV pass the 30 second speed test?

According to research carried out by The Ladders.com in 2012, the average time spent reading a CV was just 6.25 seconds.  And to think, you spent a lot of time crafting all those CVs! But here’s one thing. Whether it is 30 seconds or 6 seconds, the truth is, you have only a very short timeframe for your CV to wrap its magic fingers around a recruiter and hook them deeply even for them to get interested in you.

So, give your CV the 30-second litmus test. If you can read the key parts of your CV in 30 seconds, then you might just stand a good chance of catching a potential employer's attention.

Ask yourself these questions

Does your CV engage the reader immediately?

It is necessary to capture the attention of the recruiter quickly. The first thing a recruiter wants to see is the relevance of your CV to their organization. So, position yourself directly in line with the role being applied for in the Professional Profile at the beginning of your CV.

Is your CV easy to navigate?

Make sure your section headings stand out so that the CV is easy to navigate. Recruiters like to scan the CV to make the information accessible. You can also use bullet points to help statements stand out.

Is the length of your CV ideal?

 

With every piece of information, you add to your CV, you should ask yourself if it is going to positively influence the reader in making an interview or job decision. If the answer is a no, then you can leave it out and focus on including only the most relevant information.