A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a document that outlines your education, professional experience and accomplishments. It is used to apply for jobs and other professional opportunities. To maximise your chances of being offered an interview, your CV should be tailored to the job you are applying for and include all relevant information about your qualifications and experience. It should also be concise and easy to read. CVs are often the first impression employers have of applicants, so it is important to make sure yours stands out from the crowd.

What does it mean to tailor your CV?

Tailoring your CV is the process of customising your CV to fit the specific job you are applying for. This involves highlighting the skills and experience that are relevant to the role, and removing any information that is not necessary. Tailoring your CV helps employers quickly see why you are a great fit for their job, and makes it easier for them to make a decision on who they should hire. It also shows employers that you have taken the time to research their company and understand what they are looking for in an applicant.

Why tailoring your CV is important

For neurodivergent job-seekers, tailoring your CV can be an important step in helping you find meaningful employment. Many neurodivergent job-seekers often face challenges when it comes to finding employment, including difficulties in understanding and conveying your skills and experiences.

Also, many neurodivergent job-seekers may update their CV every few years and send the same edited versions to several employers. This can mean your CV can quickly become outdated, and may decrease your chances of getting an interview.

By tailoring your CV to highlight their strengths and abilities, you can increase your chances of being considered for a job. Additionally, by providing a potential employer with information about any adjustments you may need, it can also help support you during the recruitment process.

There are many benefits, including:

• Showcasing only the most relevant skills for that particular job, helping you to stand out from the crowd.
• Demonstrates your interest and understanding of the job and company, which can make you a more attractive candidate.
• Helps you stand out from other applicants who have submitted generic resumes.
• Highlights that you are willing to put in effort and attention to detail, which are important traits for many employers.
• It can also lead to more job offers and opportunities for advancement in the future, as it demonstrates your commitment to finding the right fit for your skills and interests.
• If you have spaces on your CV where you were not in a role or in education, tailoring your CV can also help you address any gaps in your experience or qualifications.

How to tailor your CV

If you’re reading this and wondering how you actually tailor your CV, the good news is that by following these simple instructions, it can be pretty straightforward. You can use our downloadable template below to help you do this.

1. Review the job description carefully: Before you start editing your CV, you need to make sure you thoroughly understand the requirements of the job. It can be really helpful to print it off and take a highlighter, to highlight the key words within the job description that match your skills and experience.
2. Identify your skills and experience that match their requirements. Using the job description, list the skills and experience that you possess that match the requirements of the job. 
3. Write a tailored personal profile. Your personal profile is usually at the top of the CV, and is a summarised paragraph to grab the recruiters attention. This should be a brief paragraph that summarises your suitability for the role.
4. Tailor your work history. In this part you want to tailor your work history to emphasize your most relevant experience for the role you’re applying for. For example if in a previous job you have worked with customers and the role involves working with customers, this will be really important to include. You should use bullet points to highlight your achievements and responsibilities from previous roles that are the same as the requirements for the job.
5. Tailor your education. Include any education, training, or certifications that are most relevant to the job. Highlight any courses, modules, projects that demonstrate your relevant skills.
6. Include relevant keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting throughout your CV, especially in the skills and experience sections. This will help ensure that your CV is picked up by automated screening tools.
7. Finally – keep it concise! Your CV should be no longer than two pages. You should remove any information that is not directly relevant to the job, such as your hobbies or personal interests.

Remember, the goal is to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the specific job requirements. By following these steps, you can create a targeted and compelling CV that will help you stand out to potential employers.

Common mistakes job-seekers make when tailoring their CV

Tailoring your CV can be really helpful, but it’s important to get it right to ensure it’s a success! Here are some common mistakes neurodivergent job-seekers make that can actually hurt their chances:

1. Not reading the job description thoroughly: If you don’t carefully read the job description and tailor your CV to the specific requirements, you may miss important details and end up submitting a CV that doesn’t align with the job.
2. Using the same CV for every job: It’s important to tailor your CV to each job you apply for. Using the same CV for every job can make it seem like you’re not really interested in the specific role you’re applying for.
3. Focusing on irrelevant information: When tailoring your CV, make sure to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job. Don’t waste space on information that isn’t important to the employer.
4. Not including keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan CVs for specific keywords. If your CV doesn’t include those keywords, it may never make it to a human reviewer.
5. Not quantifying achievements: It’s important to quantify your achievements whenever possible. This not only shows what you’ve accomplished but also gives employers an idea of what you could do for their company.
6. Not proofreading: Errors and typos can make you look unprofessional and careless. Make sure to proofread your CV carefully before submitting it.
7. Going overboard: While it’s important to tailor your CV to the job, going overboard can be a mistake. Don’t make changes that aren’t true or exaggerate your skills and experience. Employers will likely see through any inconsistencies.

Not ready to Tailor your CV yet? Read our ‘How to Write a CV guide’  here

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