17. CV: Tailoring your leadership story into a high-impact CV.

Published On: 8 October 2024Categories: Career, Leadership

Your CV is more than just a document—it’s a strategic marketing tool designed to showcase your unique leadership potential, and help you stand out in a competitive job market.  By writing with the reader in mind, your CV becomes more than just a list of milestones – it becomes a narrative of your growth, values and future aspirations.

For those starting out on their new career, a one-page CV is often enough.  For mid-career professionals, the challenge is to distil years of experience into a 2-3 page CV that still feels fresh and forward-looking, reflecting both your achievements and your readiness for the next leadership challenge.

By keeping a Master CV up to date, you empower yourself to seize new opportunities quickly and with precision, demonstrating your adaptability and commitment to future growth.

Awareness:

  • Is your Master CV up to date, serving as a central record of your career experience, achievements, and skills?
  • Is your CV reader-focused?
    • Will the reader “get you” from what’s on the page? Will they want to hire you?
    • Does it follow a clear, accessible format? (minimum 11pt font, ample white space and clear headings)
    • Are your responsibilities and achievements concisely summarised? Use methods like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or FAB (Feature, Achievement, Benefit) to frame your impact.
  • Does your CV reflect your leadership styles, values, adaptability, and future aspirations.

Agency:

  • Schedule time this month to update your Master CV with recent achievements, responsibilities, and new skills.
  • Seek feedback from a mentor or peer: Is your CV telling a compelling story?
  • Tailor your CV for each role, highlighting the more relevant aspects of your career based on the job description?

Recommended Resources:

Share with others