Thread by @alysha_lobo

I've been screening resumes to help folks get jobs. Most of these are crammed with too much information & believe it or not... are in the word doc format 🤦🏻‍♀️

Here is a 🧵 of tips that have worked for me and others in our pursuits of #Jobs:

> Use @canva to design your CV - Presentation is everything! Use one of the many templates there. You can even choose one based on the kind of job you are applying for. Feel free to tweak the colours but I usually recommend a light tone for the background with black font.

> Get a good headshot - It's a worthwhile investment to get a good picture of yourself. You can even shoot these at home but I recommend getting one at a studio. Wear smart &simple clothing with minimal make up. Here is a video I found helpful

> Keep your CV to one page if you have experience > 10 years. You can go up to 2 pages if your experience is 10+ years.

Stick to just the highlights in every role/org. List these out in bullet points - not more than 4 for each role.

> While listing out your professional experience, always start with the latest/last job and then go backwards.

Mention role + tenure (in brackets as the header) followed by the company + location as the sub header. And then the 4 bullet points about your work there.

> For heaven's sake, DO NOT LIE on your CV. It's the biggest career wrecker that you can possibly imagine. If you have taken a break or been unemployed for a while, it's ok to show that gap. I'm sure the best recruiters will understand the reasons for this.

> Keep some space for both personal & professional achievements. Again, avoid lengthy paragraphs & stick to bullet points.

Today, companies want to hire individuals who excel in areas outside of work - volunteering, animal rescue, writing your own blog, hosting a podcast etc.

> Put in all the relevant links in the footer of your CV for recruiters to view:
~ Personal website
~ LinkedIn profile (this is a must)
~ Github link
~ Behance for designers

Make sure these are properly hyperlinked in your PDF version of your resume.

> Have more than one CV tailored to the roles you are applying to. So, as a marketer I have 2 CVs - One that emphasizes the communication aspects of my career & the other that focus on my growth marketing skills. So depending on the company & the role, I pick one or the other.

> I also encourage people to add a few lines on who they are as a person. Did you grow up in another country or culture? Are you the child of a parent in the army? Do you have an immigration story? Weave a narrative about the environment you grew up in but do it in 4-5 lines!

And finally, write one helluva cover letter - Take trouble to research the company, see which of their values resonate with your own, what is it about the role/company/product/founder that's motivating you be part of their organization. Detail out how you would be an asset.

Happy to help advise on your CV + cover letter if you need the help. My DMs are open. But, please follow the steps in this thread & then let's chat. All the best!