No better performance
Striking, the researchers note, because there is no significant correlation between (years of) work experience and performance. In a meta-analysis based on 81 studies they found that even if people had held a job that was relevant to the new role, it did not translate into better performance. Conclusion: experience cannot be used to estimate an applicant's success. What then? These elements make a CV in 2021 valuable.
1. Knowledge
In other words: everything you know that helps you do your job and that you have acquired through doing your job. This is industry- or product-specific or related to performing a role. Have you, as a lawyer, familiarized yourself with consumer law? Then mention this, because with this acquired knowledge you can set yourself apart. Be specific when listing knowledge on your CV. Keep the intended position in mind and also briefly explain how you gained and/or applied this knowledge.
2. Skills
The ability to apply your knowledge and education concretely. Skills can be divided into hard and soft. Hard skills are abilities that are relevant to the job or the industry. You acquire them during an education or training or through work experience. Think of copywriting, data analysis, HTML/CSS, etc. Soft skills are social skills that can be useful in any kind of job. They are part of your personality (see next point) and strengthen the hard skills.
3. Personality
Which personal qualities shape the way you approach your work (and in life) and how you relate to others? Are you a good listener, can you think critically, or do you have a strong problem-solving ability? Make sure that the qualities (or soft skills) you mention align with the relevant position. Also, by mentioning one or more hobbies you can illustrate your personality. In a job interview you elaborate on them using examples.
4. Performances
What someone has achieved professionally says a lot about what that person is able to do in the future. CV expert Marc Cenedella (2) advocates the “high-score CV”: use numbers to express your success in a role. By what percentage did revenue increase when you were a sales manager? How many euros did you manage to save as an operations manager? And by what percentage did the number of incidents decrease thanks to the new code you wrote as a developer? The more specific, the better.
5. Personal development
In a rapidly changing world it is not enough to have taken a course once or to have worked with a particular program years ago. Standing still increasingly means falling behind. Which relevant seminars have you recently attended, which certificates have you recently obtained, and what else have you done to keep your knowledge up to date? It is valuable information on your CV. In addition, broad development is more relevant than ever. Think, for example, of a psychology course to better understand colleagues and clients.
Future-oriented
Circle8 not only has a future-oriented view when it comes to CVs. We take a step further in search of the perfect match and, together with organizations, look at which knowledge, skills, personality, achievements and personal development make a candidate particularly suited to a role. And are you curious how these modern qualifications translate to your CV? Then be sure to contact us; we are happy to help you map out your unique qualities.
Alison Beard: Alison Beard: Experience Doesn’t Predict a New Hire’s Success, Harvard Business Review, september-oktober 2019
Marc Cenedella: ‘The High Score Resume format: How to write a resume for 2021’, theladders.com , 3 december 2020
