Your CV is often the first thing a potential employer sees. It’s your chance to make a great first impression, but creating a standout CV isn’t always straightforward. A good way to improve it? Ask for feedback. Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning it for your dream job, having others review your CV can make all the difference. Here’s how to ask for feedback about your CV and make the most of it.
Why should you ask for feedback?
It’s easy to miss mistakes or areas for improvement when you’ve been staring at the same document for hours. Someone else’s fresh perspective can catch typos, grammar errors, or awkward phrasing plus highlight gaps in information, like missing key accomplishments or vague job descriptions.
If you ask someone in your target industry for feedback, they can provide insider advice, such as keywords and phrases to include for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and insights into what hiring managers in their field value most.
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Who to ask for feedback
The key to getting useful feedback is knowing who to ask. Different people will provide different perspectives, so aim to get input from a mix of these:
Industry professionals
- Reach out to someone already working in your target industry. They know the ins and outs of what employers are looking for.
- Ideal candidates: Mentors, former colleagues, or connections on LinkedIn.
Career advisors or coaches
- Career professionals specialize in crafting resumes that grab attention. Many universities, job centers, and private services offer CV reviews.
- Bonus: They can also guide you on tailoring your CV to specific jobs.
Trusted colleagues or peers
- Sometimes, your peers (especially if they’re also job hunting) can offer fresh eyes and practical advice.
- Tip: Peer feedback is especially useful for catching small errors like typos or formatting issues.
Online communities
- Websites like Reddit (r/resumes) or LinkedIn groups often host professionals who are happy to critique CVs.
- Watch out: Advice can vary, so don’t rely solely on anonymous reviewers.
How to ask for feedback
Now that you know who to ask, approach them the right way to get the most value.
Be specific about what you need
- Instead of asking, “Can you look at my CV?”, try:
- “Could you review my CV and let me know if it highlights my skills effectively?”
- “Does this CV align with industry standards?”
- Highlight areas you’re unsure about, such as formatting, clarity, or specific sections like your skills list.
Make it easy for them
- Provide your CV in a clean, readable format (PDF or Word is best).
- If they’re busy, ask for feedback on just one section instead of the entire document.
Respect their time
- Give them at least a few days to review and don’t follow up excessively.
What to do with the feedback
Getting feedback is only half the battle—you need to know how to use it effectively.
Analyze the feedback
- Divide feedback into categories:
- Quick fixes: Typos, grammar, formatting issues.
- Content suggestions: Adding/removing skills, changing job descriptions, etc.
- Structural changes: Major overhauls like redesigning sections or restructuring the layout.
- If you’re getting conflicting feedback (e.g., one person suggests adding a photo, another says no), weigh the pros and cons based on your goals.
Prioritize improvements
- Focus first on changes that will have the biggest impact—like aligning your CV with job descriptions or fixing major design flaws.
- Save less critical tweaks for later.
Tailor it to your target roles
- Use the feedback to create multiple versions of your CV tailored to different industries or roles.
Proofread and iterate
- After making changes, proofread again or seek a second round of reviews. Sometimes improvements create new gaps, and a fresh review can catch them.
Common pitfalls to avoid
While feedback can transform your CV, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Overcrowding your CV: Trying to implement every suggestion might leave your CV cluttered. Stay focused on relevance.
- Ignoring personalization: Not every piece of advice applies to your specific career goals.
- Skipping professional review: Peer advice is great, but don’t skip professional insights if you’re targeting competitive roles.
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