As an IT contractor, or freelancer of any kind for that matter, your CV is incredibly important. Recruiters are known for briefly scanning CVs and if yours doesn’t stand out enough, or the right information isn’t highlighted, then it can make getting new work even harder than it may already seem.
Of course, the IT contractor industry is also incredibly popular and lots of people will be seeking new opportunities similarly to how you are. So, ultimately, your CV has a huge impact on your overall success and all contractors should take the time to ensure that their current CV is not only updated, but is also giving them the best possible chance at obtaining more work.
To help any IT contractors that are struggling to get work with the current CV, the team here at Techfynder have put together a list of 5 tips that can help you ensure your CV is perfect for the contractor roles that you’re applying for.
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1. Balance quality and quantity
One of the first things you’re usually told by people is to keep your CV short and sweet. Whilst this may be the case for standard long term contractual work, things can be slightly different for freelancers. Depending on your experience, your CV may vary in length and that is okay. Ideally, you just need to make sure that you include the right things and that they are in the right places.
2. Focus on key skills and achievements
You want to make sure that one of the first things a recruiter sees when looking at your CV is your skills and achievements. These are the things that they will be most interested in, so make sure that they are incredibly clear. Always write an effective summary to open your CV containing these things and don’t be afraid to put them in bold to make them stand out.
3. Use the STAR method
Many people will have heard of this method before and it is frequently used in interviews, but it is beneficial for a CV too. STAR stands for; Situation, Task, Actions and Result, apply this method to some of your most relevant projects. You can clearly show a recruiter what your abilities are and how successful you have been in the past - almost like a short case study.
4. Don’t worry too much about personal details
Avoid making your CV too personal, as after all, it needs to stay professional. Ensure that your name, number and email address are clearly visible, but you don’t need much else other than this. We would also recommend that you avoid putting any desired rates on your CV, these can be off-putting and are something that can be discussed later down the line.
5. Tailor your CV for specific roles
Whilst this may seem like an awful lot of effort, it is always worth it. Make sure you’re highlighting relevant experiences and skills for the job you’re applying for. Don’t worry if your CV is part of a profile on a job site, you can leave this as a general CV but when you’re applying for specific jobs make sure that you tailor your CV, it will give you a better chance of success.
Using these tips, you can ensure that any recruiter scanning your CV along with hundreds of others will clearly be able to see what you can offer them. It may be beneficial to think of your CV as a way to sell yourself. Lots of people think that this is what an interview is for but, you need to get into an interview room first and your CV is the one thing that can get you there.
How Techfynder can help IT contractors
All in all, it goes without saying that when working as an IT contractor, it is essential that you are able to, essentially, advertise yourself in the right way to get a steady stream of work and, in turn, be successful. If you’re searching for a way to provide yourself with more opportunities and increase your chances of getting new contracts, visit the Techfynder website and Sign up as an IT Contractor today.
Techfynder is a platform that is specifically designed for IT contract professionals to connect globally with businesses, matching skills, rates, experience, availability and location. Use the tips above to create a standout profile on the Techfynder platform and you will be surprised how much work you will be able to generate.