CV that isn’t....meh!

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

Last month, we put out a job ad for a social media creator. As expected, the response was massive. Thousands of applications came in.

Our partner, Shortlist, reviewed the applications and narrowed them down to the top 10 candidates for interviews. But it wasn’t just a single list; it was divided into two: the top three candidates, and then the other seven.

Long story short, after further consultations and interviews, we’re excited to announce our new social media manager:

Risper Kiama! She started working with us last week.

In today’s issue, I want to share a few key insights from this hiring process that may help you when sending out your own applications.

Among the top 10 candidates, the top three all had one thing in common: they included a portfolio link in their CV. All we needed to do was click the link, view their previous work, and evaluate their skills right away.

Did this play a role in the reviewing process?

I also consulted a recruiter on this and she shared some valuable insights.

During the review process, they came across many qualified candidates. But with such high numbers, an application needed to stand out. 

She explained: “Having a portfolio on your CV is not a must, but it’s what will make your application stand out.”

For creative roles where employers need to see samples of your work, a portfolio can take your CV from good to outstanding.

Do not submit a “50/50” CV and expect a call-back. Always make sure it ‘wows’ the recruiter. With all the tools available today, there’s no room for mediocrity.

The recruiter also emphasized the growing role of AI in such roles. Not in the sense of letting AI do your work for you, but in how you integrate it into your daily tasks. 

The question is: How do you use AI to your advantage?