6 Ways To Pandemic-Proof Your CV and Get A Job in 2021

In 2020, we unfortunately witnessed several job losses across industries and countries due to the global pandemic. For some, it may have sharpened their career and the potential to reskill or look elsewhere but many also faced a prolonged lull in career opportunities.

With some professionals coming off extended furlough, less lucky ones becoming redundant and others simply out of work, they all face a stark reality. Competition is going to increase in the job market, and that means the always-present need to upskill and present their CV as per.

The pandemic has also reinforced that upskilling in general remains vital. For experienced candidates, whether through furlough, redundancy or stalled project activity, we see them finding the need to connect and network with recruiters.

Uncertainty has driven many to look for learning opportunities of all kinds to strengthen their CV and skillset. So how can you get your CV in shape for 2021?

#1 Focus On Transferable Skills

If you are repurposing your CV for a new job and industry, you might find it easier to focus on your personal profile and transferable skills, rather than your employment history and achievements.

Being able to adapt to changes in the work environment and develop transferable skills can help you cope with a difficult recruitment period.  To start with, apply a skill-based format to your resume that can help you better highlight your candidacy for the job because of the relevant transferable skills you can bring with you.

#2 Know Your Specific Skillsets

After a year filled with changes in the workplace, it’s crucial to let potential employers know what you can realistically bring to the table.

Some of these skillsets include change management, cross-collaboration and project management.

Recruiters want to see how efficient you are at managing different tasks and you have to be able to explain your progress to goals, what are the biggest roadblocks, and what you are spending most of your time on

#3 Update Your Achievements

While quarantining at home, did you upskill or focused on attaining new experiences? If yes, you can confidently update the achievements section of your CV.

This section increases your chances of getting noticed as it shows that you are constantly evolving as a professional.

If you took freelance projects while being at home or completed a few online courses to improve your skills, make sure that you include this information in the achievements section to boost your resume’s performance.

#4 Handling Gaps

Handling gaps in employment history is distressing for any professional. In each of these cases, it’s always better if you’ve had a plausible established connection during the gap period.

If you worked freelance as a consultant or on a project basis, do include it as part of your experience and be mindful of any gaps present.

#5 Quantify Your Bullets

Wherever possible, add numbers and results to your bullet points to show the impact you had in a role. You can do this even if you’re not in numbers or data-oriented role: How frequently did you do a task? How big was your team? What were the end results?

Use these tips to get your resume ready for the new decade — and get yourself that much closer to the perfect job.

#6 Skills To Skip in 2021

In addition to knowing what skills should be included on your resume in 2021, it’s also important to know which ones can be left off to leave room to focus on the skills employers are seeking. If you can’t back your skills up with relevant data or support with the specific way you obtained the skill, skip it in favour of a skill more relevant to current hiring needs.

Keeping these tips in mind can help your resume stand out among job seekers in 2021 and make the new year your best yet.

We are always in the hunt for experienced candidates and if you are looking to have a confidential discussion on your desired role, get in touch with us at The Edge.