The CV has been
said to be dying – or at least nearing its end – on more than a few occasions
in the past. Just look at reports from the likes of the Daily Mail that candidates are increasingly replacing their CVs with ‘MeVies’ – footage of themselves designed to catch an
employer’s eye – or statistics shared by Dr
Tim Sparkes for People Management indicating
that only one in 10 Millennials provided a digital CV at their last interview.
Nor is it a
surprise that people might come to such conclusions. After all, we are
seemingly living in a more ‘connected’ world than ever. Why do you still need
such an outdated or cumbersome thing as a CV, when you can simply text or email
a prospective employer, perhaps directing them towards your LinkedIn
profile?
Well, for one
thing, many potential employers will still end an online conversation with you
by asking you to send them your CV. As much as they might appreciate you
telling them everything about yourself that makes you such a great candidate
for their vacancy or company, they still usually like to have something simple
and concise to glance back at – and nothing fulfils
that role quite as well as a CV.
A digital profile isn’t the answer to everything
There are a few
other reasons why online profiles and portfolios haven’t completely replaced
the CV as yet. For example, while you could theoretically alter your LinkedIn
profile to target only the latest vacancy for which you happen to be applying, it
would be quite a hassle to have to do so every single time you contacted a
company about a role.
A CV, by
contrast, can be tweaked and tailored so that at any one time, you can have
several alternate versions from which to choose, depending on the latest
employer or sector that you are targeting. You can emphasise certain skills and experiences while de-emphasising
others, and the prospective employer will still see that same information and
layout whenever they look back at it.
By contrast,
you can’t control exactly who, and from exactly what industry, is looking over
your LinkedIn or other online profile at any one time. That’s not to suggest
that your LinkedIn profile doesn’t have its own
invaluable role, not least as it is capable of containing information that you
might not be able to fit onto a two-page CV.
However, a
polished CV remains a crucial part of your armoury
when you come to market yourself to employers. This
is why, here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, we furnish our candidates with all
of the advice they need to refine and tailor their CV for science jobs.
CVs remain a key part of your wider branding package
It’s impossible
to say exactly what will happen to the CV
in the years to come – many theories have been
proposed about its likely fate, and many new and ongoing trends cited.
What is clear,
though, is that right now, the CV continues to play a crucial role in
candidates’ dealings with science recruitment agencies and employers. It’s a
portable and easy-to-refer-to part of your wider branding package that should
also include the likes of online profiles and portfolios and cover letters.
Whether you are
looking for a job in biotechnology, pharmacology, the environment or any of a
wide range of science sectors, here at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, we will
help you to make your own CV as relevant
and impactful as possible. Simply contact our team today
to learn more.