Your First 100 Words of your CV
The first 100 words on your CV has to stop someone from discarding your job application. Make yours count!
When headhunters, recruiters, and employers look at your CV, you have around ten seconds to grab their attention. These guys sift through hundreds of CVs for a living and to move you to the next stage of their process, your CV has to be good. Specifically, the first 100 words have to be good. Therefore, make sure that your profile sells you efficiently.
Your CV is the most important marketing document you have. It should showcase your achievements to date and give whoever is reading it not just an idea of what you are like as a professional, but what you are like to work with as a person.
The first 100 words should be a fusion of your achievements, your position, your soft skills, and your experience. In among all that, your personality should be evident. It needs to catch the eye, and the reader should then glance down to your achievements and keep reading.
So, how can we improve the first 100 words of a CV?
Selling Points and Relevance
The first 100 words of your CV should sell you to the position you are applying for. Therefore, you may need to attune your first 100 words to the position if you feel it does not answer the job description. It goes without saying that applying for a job where you have little similar experience, or in a different industry, will be considerably harder to convince someone to give you an interview shot.
So, if you are tailoring your CV, you want your closest achievements to the requirements of the job highlighted first in your 100 words. Remember you have ten seconds to catch the eye, and the more you can do this with the opening sentences, the better chance you have of progressing.
So:
‘A savvy team and visionary HR professional with Middle East experience’ is a pretty powerful opening line. It is particularly powerful if you’re applying for a role in that part of the world. If your experience is relevant, obviously mention that too:
‘A savvy team and visionary HR professional with Middle East construction industry experience…’ This should keep the influential person reading the first 100 words of your CV. After your opening salvo, you are best to feature an achievement.
Achievements are what employers, headhunters, and recruiters like to see.
Inject Interest and Uniqueness
The other aspect to consider is that the first 100 words need to be written in an interesting and unique style. Try using words that inspire and are creative without getting too carried away. The secret is to write in the active voice, and use words that provoke a reaction without being too provocative.
In the above, ‘savvy’ and ‘visionary’ catch the eye. No doubt HR and professionals will be read a lot by our decision makers.
Soft Skills should be mentioned
Soft skills are an important part of a CV. You could be the next Einstein, but if no one can work with you, your chances of being hired are slim. Working soft skills into your first 100 words, ideally showing this in your achievements, is a good idea. Rather than stating you are a team player, try and show it when you showcase your achievements.
Final thoughts on 100 Words
Together with your cover letter, your profile is an opportunity to showcase what you can do to a wide audience. Use it well for success.
If you looking to get ready for a career change, you might benefit from working with a professional career coach, who can help you craft a powerful CV, and an effective LinkedIn profile. Check our Personal Branding Kit for Senior Executives.
