2nd September 2024

Mastering CV Writing: Crafting an Exceptional Professional Summary

There's been ongoing debate among recruiters about the usefulness of a Personal Profile on a CV writes Matt Craven of PH Career Services. This debate arises because many job seekers populate their personal profiles with irrelevant or overly used phrases that don't add real value. 

As professionals who review numerous CVs weekly, we've noticed a recurring pattern. Most candidates describe themselves as dynamic and innovative, with excellent communication skills. These phrases likely originated from job descriptions, leading applicants to feel compelled to include them in their CVs. 

The issue with this approach is twofold: First, it's so common that it fails to stand out, and recruiters are well aware when job seekers are merely parroting job specs. Second, a CV isn't the place to emphasize behavioral skills—those are better demonstrated during an interview.

This confusion might stem from the term "Personal Profile," which tends to focus on personality traits. Instead, we recommend that job seekers craft a Professional Summary. This section should outline your professional role, followed by four or five key areas of expertise directly aligned with the job you're applying for.

A Professional Summary (or Executive Summary for more senior roles) should be the first thing a hiring manager sees on your CV. It's meant to provide a concise description of who you are and highlight the critical skills and experiences that your prospective employer is seeking. After reading this section, a recruiter should find your application relevant and compelling enough to continue reading the rest of your CV. 

Your summary should address three main questions: 

1. Who are you? 
2. What is your unique value proposition? 
3. And what are your top four skills?

Avoid falling into the trap of using clichéd phrases like "works well in a team," "thrives under pressure," or "excellent communication skills." These are overused and don't differentiate you from other candidates.

What You Should Do: An Example 

Here’s a quick illustration:

“An experienced Financial Adviser with a strong track record of providing strategic financial guidance to individuals and businesses, ensuring long-term wealth growth and financial security. Key strengths include: developing personalized financial plans tailored to clients' unique goals and risk tolerance; managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple asset classes; conducting in-depth market analysis to identify optimal investment opportunities; educating clients on complex financial products to empower informed decision-making; and successfully guiding clients through major life transitions, such as retirement planning and estate management, to secure their financial futures." 

Breaking It Down

Who Are You?

Begin by briefly summarizing your professional background, for instance: "A seasoned Finance Director," "An IT Infrastructure Manager with deep expertise," or "A Highly Skilled Mechanical Engineer." The goal is to quickly convey that you are a strong match for the role. If the hiring manager is seeking a Financial Planner, for example, clearly state that this is your area of expertise. Doing this successfully will encourage them to read further. 

Your Value Proposition

Next, focus on your value proposition. This part is more challenging but essential—it’s your overarching offering, the one thing you consistently deliver when joining an organization.

For instance, your value proposition might be about how you enhance an organization’s ability to maintain financial stability and profitability, or perhaps you specialize in implementing cost-effective marketing strategies that yield high ROI. Tailor this section to reflect the unique value you bring to the table. 

Key Strengths 

Finally, outline your key strengths, which should align with your value proposition. These are the skills that you excel in and that contribute significantly to your professional success. Examples could include:

• Crafting and managing comprehensive financial plans for a diverse client base, ensuring alignment with their long-term financial goals.
• Conducting detailed financial analyses and cash flow projections to support clients' major life decisions, such as retirement, education funding, and purchasing real estate.
• Implementing investment strategies across various asset classes to optimize clients' portfolio performance and mitigate risks.
• Identifying and executing cost-saving strategies in clients' budgets, enabling them to achieve financial stability and increase disposable income.

It's also important to explain how these strengths benefit the organization. For instance, rather than just listing your ability to streamline financial processes, describe how this results in improved accuracy, faster service delivery, or cost savings. 

The key is to emphasize the strengths that your future employers are likely to value most, especially considering the challenges their organization might currently face.

In summary, position yourself as the solution to their problems, focusing on what you can offer rather than just listing your achievements. The goal is to craft a statement that is both powerful and authentic.

In partnership with PH Career Services, we offer a free CV appraisal service. Our team of experts will help you to see where you might be going wrong with your professional profile.

To take advantage of this service, click here: https://phcareerservices.com/cv-appraisal/

Investments, Investment Commentary