Acing your application: Do’s and don’ts of CVs and cover letters

You should plan your approach and strategy when embarking on a job search — whether you’re a passive seeker or unemployed and actively looking. But there are countless things to consider when applying for a job. How many pages should your CV be? Should you include an objective statement? Kelly Tobin, recruitment manager for Engility International Development, provides an insider look at what recruiters prefer in this Devex webinar. It’s a good idea to draft multiple versions of your resume; one can serve as a general CV to hand out at career fairs or uploading to company databases, while the other should be tailored for specific purposes. For recruiters who receive on average one email every five minutes, the extra effort to tailor a resume will go a long way. And because recruiters are distracted by other pressing priorities, it’s OK to follow up on an application — but try to keep it to no more than three times, Tobin suggested, and let a week or so go in between emails or calls. Be sure to track your outreach — including company, position type and date you applied — on a spreadsheet, including informational interviews and any networking events. If a recruiter does get back to you, you’ll want to know Watch the full webinar to find out which CV type most recruiters prefer, whether you should spend the time to upload your CV to company databases and what to remember before pressing “send.” Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.