Having a well-written CV is crucial for any STEM candidate, whether you’re just entering the industry as a graduate or looking to start fresh elsewhere. In a study, it was found that almost 75% of CVs are never seen by human eyes in large organisations. This is because of applicant tracking systems (ATS) that are used to collect, sort and rank applications for open vacancies.
To get past these gruelling application processes and catch the eye of both recruiters and hiring managers, you need to have a good CV that sells your skills and experience as a STEM professional. In this blog, we’ll touch on key tips for making your CV successful, based on the knowledge we have gained as recruiters in IT and technology.
What Is a STEM CV?
A STEM CV is a professional outline of your job experience, skillset and qualifications relevant to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. As a STEM candidate, it is important to have a strong focus on your specific technical skills, qualifications and relevant experience to show that you are right for the job.
Your CV is not a place to sell yourself short, especially when you are applying for highly technical job vacancies. As experienced tech recruiters, we have found that the most effective way to be a successful candidate is through a concise and well-structured CV.
How to Structure and Write a Successful CV
Quite often, hiring managers will spend little to no time reviewing your CV. So, it’s important that the potential employer can easily obtain your key information before making a decision. Make sure to include the following detail in your CV using our structured guide below:
Section 1: Personal Details
This section should include your professional title, name, phone number, email and location. Make sure you don’t put these details in the header or footer, but instead located within the main area of the document. It has been found that 25% of resumes that have contact details in the header or footer are not picked up by ATS software.
Avoid this fate and make sure you have the helping hand of an experienced recruiter to get you through instead!
Section 2: Educational Background
Your degrees and certifications must take centre stage so you can highlight that you are academically qualified within your chosen field. Use this space to also outline relevant coursework or research papers, especially if you are looking to do well in an entry-level position. This will highlight your interest in the subject area, as well as show what you are looking to expand on in a future career.
Section 3: Skills
One of the best ways to optimise your CV for ATS systems is to use the right keywords. These keywords include soft skills such as communication and hard skills like HTML or data analysis. While transferable skills are essential in any job role, it is technical skills that carry the most weight in STEM careers.
Use technical terminology and outline your proficiency by naming the specific tools you are skilled in. For example, if you are looking for a role in artificial intelligence (AI), make sure to avoid using generic terms like “programming languages”. Instead, list the specific coding languages such as Python, Java or C++. This will help the hiring manager easily identify your key areas of expertise and keep your application on for the next round.
Section 4: Work Experience
The last section of your CV should list your recent and relevant work experience in reverse chronological order. Each entry should include your previous job title, employer, time spent there and key responsibilities.
Make sure you include relevant role-specific keywords from the job description, so you can show the employer that your experience exactly meets the requirements. Optimising both your skills and experience section will help make your CV stand out to both the ATS system and the hiring manager.
Next time you update your CV, follow our simple structure and always ensure you tailor it to the role you are applying for. Once you’ve finished writing, check back, proofread and edit. Poor formatting, grammar or spelling mistakes can stop your chances of success!
Contact Morris Sinclair to Get Your CV in the Right Hands
Morris Sinclair is an expert recruiter in IT and technology. We will work with you to achieve your career ambitions and help you find your next employer. As part of our service, we will offer a complimentary CV review, provide expert feedback and ensure we’re always in touch.
Contact Morris Sinclair today to get a FREE, professional CV review, and let us guide you through the recruitment process.
