Marissa Mayer CV Lessons: How To Get Hired Faster
By Jennifer L. Jacobson, Founder of Jacobson Communication
After the recent sale of Yahoo! to Verizon, Marissa Mayer’s CV became a topic of discussion when the web platform, Enhancv created a sample CV highlighting her experience, skills, and career. How can you make your CV more compelling? Here are the key takeaways and critiques that will help you make your CV more amazing.
THE GOOD – DO THIS:
1. Stand Out
Your CV should be eye-catching and classy.
2. Make it Easy to Read
Lists, bold font, and layout should be used tactfully.
3. Use a Quality Headshot
Your photo should look professional. Read more: 7 Signs You Have a Bad LinkedIn Profile Picture.
4. Highlight Accomplishments
Say “how you helped,” not just, “what you did.”
THE BAD – DON’T DO THIS:
1. Raise Doubts
Mentioning “shadows” in your Life Philosophy makes readers think you have something to hide. Instead, choose something more favorable.
2. Include Overused Phrases
Under Strengths, the phrase,”hard working” should be replaced with something more specific. Readers assume someone applying for a job already works hard. Choose a better phrase.
3. Talk About Your Personal Time
It’s not your employer’s business to know how much of your day is spent with your family, or sleeping. Most employers know better than to ask. Keep your CV professional. Change the Day of my Life section to My Work Day Is Spent.
4. Include Cute, Irrelevant Details
If you’re applying for a CEO-level job. don’t talk about making cupcakes. Women are already, all too often, at a disadvantage for being considered cute, pretty or, good at “soft skills.” Unless you’re applying for a job as a baker, don’t talk about food, or non-related tasks. Read Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office, for more on this.
5. Start With a Big History of Your Experience
Every CV starts with a gigantic chuck of experience and it’s not eye-catching. Instead, start your CV with your accomplishments, in an easy-to read format. Make it about what you can do for the company–not how great your résumé is.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Keep your CV professional, compelling, and easy to read. It’s not your life story–it’s what will make people want to “know more” and possibly hire you to be the game-changer their organization needs to get to the next level.
About the Author:
Jennifer L. Jacobson is a PR Consultant who helps brands find their voice. Her clients have been TIME’s best site of the year, and graced the likes of Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Popular Science, Scientific American, USA Today, The Atlantic, and thousands more. She is the founder of Jacobson Communication; a PR and marketing firm.
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