I run a content marketing company, Fifty Five and Five, based in central London. We've gone through a fairly rapid expansion over the last year, and as a result I've advertised a fair few roles, read many many CVs and interviewed lots of people - including many graduates. I've just filled a vacant role, but this most recent process was particularly insightful, if only for the mistakes I saw time and time again from graduate applications.
We all hear in the press and on the web how hard it is for grads to break into the job market, how difficult it is to differentiate yourself and stand out. Actually I think it is very simple, or at least it is simple to apply for a job properly. Allow me to offer three practical tips that might just make the difference in at least getting a foot in the door with your next application.
1. Write a cover letter
Sounds simple, right? You'd think so, but it never ceases to amaze me how few people write cover letters when applying for a job. In my mind this is the equivalent to knocking on my office door, putting a CV in my hand without as much as a 'Hello', and walking away. You simply wouldn't do it would you.
With email, cover letters are so simple to get right. Just say 'Hi', introduce yourself and give me a reason to open your CV. Believe me, I probably have enough applications that I can't read them all anyway, so don't make it easy to ignore you. Your cover letter is your chance to grab my attention. Take it!
2. Tailor your CV to specific job
Do I need to know that you worked at your local pub for a few years during Uni? What is that telling me about you? Similarly, do I need to know your GCSE results? Your performance in RE was impressive, I'm just not sure how it's going to help you in the role I've advertised.
My second tip is tailor your CV. I'm reading it because I want to know if you will be good at the job I've advertised. So make sure every page (you have cut it down to one or two pages, haven't you?) is laser focused on that role. Make sure every section has a point, addresses something I'm interested in, or shows me something I need to see.
Yes, you will end up with a CV for each job you apply for. Yes, it is a little extra effort. But that's the difference between someone who gets a job and someone who doesn't.
3. Don't tell me that you don't want to work for me
My third and final point follows on from number two. So many times I'm reading a CV and I come across passages like:
- "My ultimate ambition is to editing womens' clothing magazines"
- "I plan to write novels for a living"
- "I've just set up a company with a friend selling customised pot plants; nature is my true passion"
These things are great and I'm glad you have goals and ambitions. I wish you luck with them, but by putting them in your CV you effectively telling me:
"I'm applying to you because I need a job. My real ambition, passion, and drive lies somewhere else entirely."
Now the above may be true. You might not be applying for a job at my company with the plan to retire 60 years later having stayed loyal all that time. I get that. It's fine. Just don't tell me that up front. Some things just don't need saying.
Chris Wright is the founder of Fifty Five and Five, and reads a lot of CVs. To find out more about our content writing services, get in touch. 
