CV Profiles – Writing a killer profile

Posted by Paul, October-30-2009

When it comes to writing a profile whether it is for your CV, a covering letter or indeed for your MyPeopleBiz registration form we understand that it can be confusing knowing exactly what to write.

But if a profile is written correctly it can be invaluable in getting the job you want, especially with MyPeopleBiz as your profile becomes searchable to all of the employers on the site, letting you be head-hunted.

By writing a web-recruitment profile you will attract employers to come and look at your capabilities and all employers on MyPeopleBiz are verified before they can view your profile. Because your profile is “NO Names” and does not identify you, your privacy is safe and you can decide once you have taken a look at the job spec whether to respond to that employer and to reveal your identity by sending a full CV.

Having a good profile is the key to getting companies to want you, bringing you a step closer to a great job and earning some extra cash with a sign-on bonus through MyPeopleBiz. What is displayed to employers is as follows:

-The sectors your work/would like to work in (IT/telecoms, Charity & non-profit)

-Region, and Location (West and Central London)

-Job Type (Permanent, Temp, Contract)

-Your profile

So let us help you write a Killer Profile to maximize your chances with MyPeopleBiz or anywhere else:

Whether you’re looking for a change, getting back into work or starting your career, a good profile is essential to stand out from the crowd and may be a key factor in getting you that all important interview.

Take the following steps to ensure that you will be able to grab an employer’s attention and make your job hunt successful.

What is a profile?

A profile is the best way to introduce yourself to an employer before they know you, allowing you to flag your skills,  previous experience, qualifications and making that all important first impression. It can be the difference between someone reading your CV or not.

Is a profile necessary?

YES, a profile is the best way to get the employer thinking about you in the way you want them to. They are usually most effective for sectors with high competition such as PR, Marketing, management consultancy, the media and events management where you really need to stand out from the crowd. However, there are several tips and pointers to make sure your profile is doing the right thing:

Firstly, try to think about your core strengths, a profile is a sales tool. Include brief details of your major selling points especially those which are relevant to your chosen career path.

A profile can be used in many forms, as part of your CV, as an introduction to a covering letter or as part of an application form. However, there must be a slight difference between these:

-They should act as introductions to highlight your strengths

-Taylor this to your CV, highlighting specific parts which your feel most proud of and are most relevant

-Taylor this to your covering letter to introduce what is to follow, don’t simply use as a generic introduction for all your covering letters:  your CV and Covering letter profile must be different

-It may be hard not to say the same thing on your CV, Covering letter or application form but try and say it in a different way, use a thesaurus if necessary!

What goes into a Profile?

-Overview: A description of what you are

-Achievements: Endorsement of what you are

-Personal Qualities that have contributed to those achievements

-Summary of capabilities and description of next challenge sought

When writing your profile ensure that you:

-Keep sentences short and to the point

-Objectives and aims should be kept to a sentence or two

-State the Job sector you’re applying for

-Write a sentence about why you are looking for the type of work you are after

-Briefly state you prior experience, e.g “5 years experience as a web developer ready to take on a new challenge as senior developer”

-focus on your attributes and why they make you suitable

-avoid common and overly generic terms such as hard working and communication skills

-use real word examples and facts figures are liked by employers; e.g. “by demonstrating how the product worked to customers sales went up by 10%”

-keep it within 7-8 lines

What do I do if I don’t know what jobs I want to go for?

-Be careful as a blatantly unfocused profile is a big mistake, a carefully worded summary of your key strengths and attributes will still enhance your chances.

Here follows some short examples for your reference:

A good example:

A versatile IT graduate with a strong desire to succeed in the industry. Possessing developed skills using C#.NET, ASP.NET, SQL SERVER. With my previous educational and employment experience I am used to juggling many tasks and meeting strict deadlines. Having worked for Sun Co for 3 years a server administrator, where I installed a brand new system, I am looking to progress into a senior server administration position in a customer focused organization.

-Highly specific, outlines parts of CV and specific skills that can be drawn from them such as time management and juggling tasks.

Bad example:

I am a dynamic individual with good communication skills, I would like a job in IT because I enjoy working with computers, I find the environment interesting and satisfying, The opportunity to learn new skills and technology is also appealing.

-Very Bland, Generic and broad as well as a poor sentence structure

Last words

Check for typos and grammar mistakes. It doesn’t have to be one paragraph; a few 2-3 line paragraphs will allow you to be even clearer.