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Consider the reader when writing a facilities managers CV

Published on: 9 Mar 2016

When it comes to CV writing one thing you should always do, but often overlook, is consider the reader. As facilities management professionals you all know that your client is king and that you should always put their needs first; putting the reader first is perhaps the most important part in planning how to write your CV. It’s a core principal that people in marketing use all of the time: understand your target audience and make it work for them.

Plan before you write

If anything you should take more time to research and plan a CV than you should writing one. A CV which isn’t properly planned to consider the reader will end up being given short shrift; no facilities professional wants to find themselves in the recycling. The key question you need to ask yourself is: ‘what skills and expertise are employers looking for at my level and job role within FM?’  Thorough research and preparation via looking on company websites, job boards and industry forums will help you find the right answer to this question.

The importance of the person specification

The person specification is the most important source of information for any prospective facilities management job hunter. The job description tells you what is required to carry out a particular role whereas the person specification tells you the qualifications, experience and expertise needed to get yourself hired. Your CV will be compared directly with the person specification. So, the long and the short of this is make sure you consider the person specification when tailoring your CV to each individual application; this is what’s going to get you that all important interview.

Values and culture

Employers are increasing turning to values-based recruitment and placing greater emphasis on cultural fit. Even if you have all the technical skills required, you still need to be able to demonstrate that you have the right attitude and can fit from a cultural perspective. Every year employers waste hard earned cash on unsuccessful recruitment campaigns when they find that their new hires just don’t fit from a cultural perspective; don’t be one of these people: do your research and understand the company’s cultural ethos before applying.

Putting pen to paper

When it comes to actually writing your CV, keep in mind that you are trying to appeal to your reader. What does this mean in practice? If you take the ‘Professional Profile’, this is your introduction; say something original about your qualities and attributes; always align these to the role. If you are applying for a specific job include words that mirror the organisational values and culture.

This CV writing advice article is written by Neville Rose, Director of CV Writers. CV Writers are the official partner to FM World Jobs. In addition to a CV writing service, CV Writers can help with Linkedin profiles, cover letters and interview coaching. They also publish Perfect CV, a CV writing toolkit with a series of how to write a CV videos, CV templates and an editing and checking service.