We have had a number of meetings recently with really talented Senior Executives, that are thinking about a new position to progress their careers.  Each of these individuals has articulated a very clear career ambition and provided compelling evidence for why they are highly suited to the opportunity they are pursuing; and then they have shared their CV…

Reading these, we see a tendency is to refresh CVs at transition points, with each section providing a snapshot in time and the resulting document becoming a career memoir lacking punch and signposting.

The disconnect between the human and the document they are using to market themselves is stark; so, we have put together some easy and doable ideas for achieving a personal and relevant CV.  

Our advice:

• If you are making a career move, review your CV and make sure it reflects the person you are and aligns with your career aspiration.
• The Profile: In the third person, encapsulate your aspiration and provide a very succinct overview of why you have the capability to deliver in the role you are considering.
• Career History: Review your achievements in each of your roles and refine them so that they point towards your goal – you might want to delete points that are no longer salient, or reflecting from your current position, even add something. Ask yourself the question: “How did this experience contribute to making me the professional I am?” And more importantly: “How does the experience help readers to see me in the roles I want to do?”
• The new document will be a tighter, focused, dynamic document – a marketing document.

Let us know if you decide to try this approach – we know it might take time; and of course, if you’d like us to review your new, fabulous CV, share a copy and we will happily do so.