Seags

Creating a relevant CV

So the company I work at, Digital Leap, is hiring and we’re looking for a junior web designer and a PHP web developer (some sort of knowledge of WordPress would be beneficial but it’s not required especially if you have a reasonable amount of talent/dedication/ambition). Now you would think that with so many people being unemployed in South Africa that everyone would go out there way to make sure that they are more desirable than the next Joe Soap; sadly this is not the case.

Either people are not really willing to chase a skill and just want any job (understandable) or they don’t put a single amount of effort into the presentation of their CV (definitely not understandable).

This is why I’m writing this, hoping that a few people who are applying to any job would read it and be inspired to really push their own presentation to show case what they are capable of.

4 Tips on Creating a Relevant CV

1. First of all you have to do a bit of research on exactly what employers are looking for. Make sure you show a few (not all) your personal details and include your location and that you are willing to relocate if the job is in another city. However, companies will really be looking for a few simple things like personality (should be apparent in your short but descriptive introduction), education/training, experience and what you are good at (skills).
    
2. Make sure you are being relevant. DO NOT apply to a job that you hardly meet the criteria on. I don’t mean you shouldn’t apply to a job that you are not qualified (yet) for (by all means do); I mean you shouldn’t be applying for a job that has a salary limit of R12000 per month and you are requesting R30000 per month. You also should not send your CV in if you are in a totally different industry (e.g. junior web design positions don’t really need testers, engineers, or accountants unless you have something to show for changing your career path).
    
3. The most important part of your CV is presentation. Not to brag but EVERY job I have applied for I have got simply because my CV has been presented in a manner that not only portrays who I am but also portrays the work I am able to do. This is even more important for anyone in the design industry; if you cannot design a nice looking CV then how on earth will I be able to trust you with any design work I’m going to give you? If you are a web developer how about you throw in some industry quirks like <bio>Something about me</bio>. I’d most likely hire you on the spot if it’s done right.
    
4. Then lastly, and this may be applicable in any industry but it is VERY applicable in the world of the web, you have to have something to showcase. My websites (and I have a few) showcase the skills that I have and it shows my employer that I have some skills especially when the websites I create are popular (lets think 5000 unique visitors to seags.co.za when I was hired for my current position). If you are a web designer, go and design your own website to showcase your skill and if you are a web developer do the same and also get involved in an Open Source project where can brag about your contributions.

Honestly, if I were to get a CV that met these 4 points, and I mean really nailed them, I’d most likely put your name forward to be on our payroll in March.

PS. If you are a web designer/web developer (PHP and WordPress) then send through your CV to jobs[at]digitalleap.co.za - we are looking for freelancers and permanent positions. Seriously, blow us away and we will offer you the job.