Though there are many startup companies who sometimes don't bother with a CV, opting to prefer to see your experience in action or to find your info online, it is still the main way of securing a job in most sectors.
The thing is, CVs have got interesting. With plenty of creative examples, platforms and tools out there that can help you make your CV stand out, there really is no excuse. If you don't make an effort yours will simply not get a look in.
So, we've decided to give you a helping hand. Because well, we care and we want more of you to do jobs that matter.
There is a basic CV format that employers expect to see and are used to, regardless of sector or role you're applying for.
That is as follows:
- contact details
- personal statement / about section
- experience
- education
- achievements / skills
- hobbies and interests
- references
Now, whilst all of these points are important and you should include them, if you're wanting to be creative or have a particular point that is more important than the rest, then shake it up - there's no need to play by all the rules!
3 Key things to include for a mission driven remote job
1. When applying for jobs with a purpose it's really important to put across the WHY even more so than with normal jobs. YOUR why, plus the why you're applying for this particular role is crucial in them determining whether you're the right candidate.
You see socially minded companies and organisations care about their missions and values more than regular businesses. In fact more often than not, they base their hires on whether a candidate understands what they're about over their skill sets. This is because certain things can be taught, whilst being passionate and having empathy towards something not so much.
How do you put this why across?
Create your own mission statement and add it to your personal statement/about section at the top.
This should include what you want to do and why. What you're passionate about and how this is relevant to the job and their organisation. Add some personality into it.
2. Delve into your experience and employment history as if you were pitching a business.
When a business pitches for a sale, they outline their latest projects, what they did in the particular projects and what they achieved for the business/client. Pitch your skills, what you worked on and how this helped the organisation in the same way. Do the thinking for them, so that they don't have to. Use metrics, or even link to impact stories. This shows a level of understanding and experience - you know the value you bring and the difference you make. And you care about this.
Same goes for when you're adding your skills/achievements section. Delve a bit deeper and think outside the box. Yes you're good at developing websites, but what makes you good at this?
3. Be a modern worker
These days it is rare if you're not using social media, have some kind of online presence and haven't engaged with your team outside of the office. Companies expect to be able to find you online, especially if you're going for a remote position and depending on the role you're applying for they also expect a level of engagement from you.
Add your social media handles and linkedin to your contact details - make these clickable!
Not only this, but make sure to refine them and check that you're happy for the company to look at everything that is there.
In fact we recommend you share and post things that are relevant to the company, it's missions and the job you're applying for, when you send in your application.
4. Make them look good and readable.
Ok, we were only going to give you 3, but we couldn't miss this out.
If you're having a hard time reading your CV so will everyone else, in fact they may just not bother.
Not great at making things look fancy, and don't have a creative bone in your body? Well, firstly, we don't believe that. But secondly, you can use tools like Canva, where there are a ton of great templates to work from and get ideas. The best bit? It's free!
Here are two fab creative examples for you...
