How Employers Use CVs

By Winnie Ayero | 06 May 2022

Now that we know all about how to search for jobs on LinkedIn and the various kinds of CVs, let us delve into how employers use CVs after you apply for a job. The following are not necessarily the logical flow of events but rather a broad overview of what happens.

Scan and/or Skim

A lot of companies today scan CVs electronically for keyword matches using ATS systems. Only CVs that match the keywords the company is looking for get skimmed by a human being. Research data shows that human skimming typically lasts 6-8 seconds per CV before a decision is made to either keep or bin a CV. Therefore, it is absolutely important to write and design your CV to pass both the “scan test” and the “skim test”.

Assume it is your best work

You typically submit your CV to a recruiter or a company because you are looking for a job. Employers assume that the CV you submit is a sample of your best work, the crème de la crème of your arsenal that should give them an idea of what to expect if they hire you. So ensure that your CV is well formatted and you were not the Bored Member (Board Member) with a Master of Pubic Health (Master of Public Health)!

Effective communication skills have consistently been ranked among the top 10 skills that employers require for most jobs for years; usually ranking higher than managerial skills and often taking the number 1 spot. It would therefore be ironic to list communication skills as one of your strengths and submit a CV that is riddled with typographical and grammatical errors. Neatness, accuracy, proper grammar and formatting are crucial.

Decide whom to interview

Employers use the CVs of applicants to decide who gets invited to an interview. Only applicants whose CVs meet the job requirements make it to the short list. Therefore, it is important to tailor your CV to every job you apply for. There is no one size fits all CV. However, if you are clear about what you want and it is reflected on your CV, you may only need to tweak a few things each time you apply for a new job.

Submit for approval

At the tail end of the recruitment process, the top candidate is singled out and their CV is submitted to a decision-maker who approves their appointment. These decision-makers have various backgrounds and areas of expertise so a CV must be as clear and as easy to understand as possible. Spell out acronyms and explain awards, unusual job titles and organisations that the reader may not be familiar with.

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This article is also published in the GFI Newsletter on LinkedIn