What Does a Winning CV Look Like in 2022?

Welcome to 2022 job seeking chaos! It’s nobody’s fault. But the way people look for candidates has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. The first few months of 2020 have taught us an important lesson when it comes to digital talent: The majority of professionals involved in a desk job can work from anywhere, and by anywhere, we mean literally anywhere;

• their home
• a quirky coffee shop
• a co-sharing space
• another town
• a different state
• a different country

So, more and more companies seeking new talent are willing to expand their horizons and look at a variety of applicants. Remote positions are popular, and their popularity is showing no sign of slowing down. It’s a good thing because people want to have more control over their work-life balance. So, organizations promoting remote jobs are more likely to meet our post-pandemic work values. However, they also have changed the way they judge candidates. So what can you do to impress your future employer? Answer: You need a killer CV!

There are good buzzwords and bad buzzwords on both sides of the fence

Just as no candidate in their right mind would apply for a position requiring a thick skin rockstar professional to work hard and play hard, businesses also recognize red flag buzzwords on your resume. Nobody requires you to learn the thesaurus by heart unless you are applying for a copywriting position. There is nothing to gain in using words you don’t fully understand. The practice is not going to make you look smart, and it could even have the opposite effect. 

Another bad buzzword practice you want to avoid on your resume is using grandiose phrases to describe yourself: Visionary, inspiring, talented, and similar words are best used to compliment someone but not to describe yourself.  

Never stop learning

Companies want to make sure they are not wasting their time with candidates who don’t keep up with the business trends or try to improve their skills. Ultimately, if you have been in the same position for years, you need to showcase your learning and training best practices. How do you stay up-to-date with the new technologies and processes? If you do online courses or attend workshops, make sure to mention it. 

Similarly, if you are pursuing your studies, do mention that you are finishing a degree or that you are applying to online colleges. There is nothing wrong with showing a future employer that you take your skills seriously. Even if you’re not getting a new degree, there’s nothing wrong with taking some classes and reading some of the best HBS essay examples to keep your thinking fresh and relevant. 

Be there, be seen, be digital all the way

Your CV is only one aspect of your application, and employers also want to see your digital presence. You can significantly boost your chances if you are active on relevant channels, such as contributing to business-relevant discussions on Twitter or having your expert blog. 

As remote positions are growing in popularity, employers seek candidates that can make a positive impression remotely. This means they focus on your choice of words in the resume, your desire to boost your education, and digital visibility. With hundreds of other skilled professionals sending their resumes, you need to make a good impression rapidly to stand out and get an interview.