Catering your CV

A CV needs to be specific to the role you are applying for and in more ways than you might expect. Including but not limited to:

• The industry the business you are applying for operates in.
• The responsibilities of the role itself.
• The attitudes and stance of the business you are applying to, including the workplace dynamic.
• The key attributes that the employer is looking for with a placement student.

For instance, a CV for an investment banking firm in London will be very different to one sent to a real estate business. Infact, a great CV for one investment banking firm may differ entirely to another investment banking firm. Simply because the expectations, listed responsibilities and desired attributes could be completely different.

This guide will show you how to cater your CV to each and every role that you apply to.

Industry

Express interest. The company wants placement students that are interested in the business that they do and the purpose they serve. This comes more into play within the Cover Letter but can be expressed through the CV.

The personal statement that is written at the very top of a CV is a great place to nail some key points regarding your interest in the blank industry. Although not necessary, any experience you have within the industry is also worth mentioning. Perhaps give some insight into where you think the industry is headed and why that excites you.

Beyond interest, you can demonstrate an understanding of the industry through the presentation of your CV and Cover Letter. If the role is within financial services, a black and white, formal approach is likely to be expected. On the other hand, if you're applying to a Digital Marketing role, you had better showcase what you can do with digital design tools!

Responsibilities of the role

Job descriptions should be viewed as a step by step guide to refining your CV. The majority of job descriptions will list in black and white the responsibilities of the role, your CV should cater directly to these.

There are a few ways you can do this. Start by linking up your experience with key responsibilities listed for the role. For instance, if you're going to be presenting analytical reports to the rest of the team, evidence when you have presented to a group or a larger setting. List this ability in the Skills and Extra-curricular activity section of your CV.

An example list of responsibilities:

Below, is a list of responsibilities for a Brand Management Role at a large automotive firm. We can decipher key skills and responsibilities for the applicant from this list alone.

"You will assist the Brand Management Team in organising and running meetings, delivering actions to meet agreed project objectives."

Organisation stands out immediately within the first line, therefore, it is vital the applicant expresses experience in time-management and general organisation within their CV or their Cover Letter (or both).

"Complete own projects, sponsored and overseen by a team member."

Next, any experience of project management would be beneficial. It is important not to get stuck up on the details, project management can be expanded into an entire array of different areas. Football team captain, School prefect, any sort of entrepreneurial activity and even group work within studies.

"Analyse key data for the Brand Management team, reporting through a variety of different methods."

Data analysis is the next key responsibility, when have you used data or evidence to reach a conclusion or judgement?

"Ensure monthly Brand Management Meetings are run efficiently, organising the event and agenda, capturing key actions on the day."

Finally, more event management responsibilities, emphasising further the importance to this role of strong organisation and communication skills.

Attitudes and Stance

Catering to the attitudes and stance of the firm is often the most difficult. However, there are key give aways that may help you.

Research the business, try to find reviews on roles at the firm from current or ex-employees. Use RateMyPlacement primarily for this, but also branch out to Reed or Indeed.

Find out what it is like to work at the firm and if you can, within the department you are applying for. Is it a casual environment? Does the business operate very formally? Are they big on social activity? Use this information to cater the business on a personal level towards the business.

It is vital you understand that the business is also assessing whether your personality will fit their expectations.

Key attributes

This part is easy but perhaps the most important. The job description will likely feature a section titled "About you" or "The perfect applicant will be:". This is a gold mine for targeting your CV.

Dig into each bullet point, or each sentence and connect the attributes and skills asked of you to key experience that you have. More recent experience is better but it can be from any stage in your life.

Apply these insights to selecting the most appropriate work-experience to state, the most appropriate hobbies and skills that you possess and extra-curricular activities you partake in.

An example of an "About you" section:

The following comes from a Brand Management Placement role for a large automotive company.

"Great skills in Excel and PowerPoint."

Immediately, great skills in Excel and PowerPoint. This should be easy to tick off. Almost everyone has experience using these programs, think of a time where you have used them and achieved a great outcome, then sell that to the employer through your work-experience or extra-curricular section.

"Studying towards a Business Management, Economics or Mathematics related degree."

This is simple but important. State what degree you are studying in your opening statement and make it very clear within the education section of your CV.

"Strong interest in the financial services, automotive and mobility industry."

Again, express this interest within your opening statement. Any experience you may have in the industry is also useful.

"Curiosity and a strong willingness to learn and work in a team."

Self-explanatory, team working experience.

"Proactive attitude when approaching tasks."

"I developed a new website for a charity that was previously taking donations via PayPal and Venmo. Enabling them to take secure credit card payments and avoiding further logistical turmoil." Bosh, example of proactivity just like that, as well as reference to volunteering and digital skills.

"Comfortable developing positive working relationships and communicating with a range of stakeholders."

Teamworking skills.

"Resilient and hard working."

Hopefully, this will seep through your CV and Cover Letter already. If in doubt, state it!