In this article, we provide straight forward, structured guidance on optimising your CV to highlight your achievements and expertise. We also explain why tailoring your CV and including keywords is so important to navigate hiring processes used by some employers.
Within the specialist fields of life sciences and healthcare, creating a CV that showcases your expertise and achievements is critical. Competition for roles can be fierce, with employers sometimes receiving hundreds of applications for a role. Crafting a CV that shines a light on your suitability for the role can make an excellent first impression and help you stand out in a competitive job market.
The rise in use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by employers means tailoring your CV has never been more important. Employers use ATS to filter and rank job applications at the initial stage of the hiring process. If your CV doesn’t include relevant keywords and experience that matches the job description, you risk not passing the first screening.
How to structure your professional CV
Your CV should offer more than a summary of your professional work history. Employers want to see the unique value you can bring to the company, as well as your academic qualifications and work experience.
By structuring your CV in a logical flow, it’s easier for hiring managers to quickly access your qualifications, achievements, and suitability for the role—as well as helping you to navigate those pesky automated sifting tools!
A simple CV structure typically includes:
CV Heading | Detail |
Personal details: | Your full name, any professional title e.g., Professor, Doctor, or Nurse Practitioner, and contact information. |
Professional summary/bio: | A short description of your professional experience, skills, key strengths, and career objectives. |
Education: | Bullet point your degrees, certifications, and relevant training you have recently attended. List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification and working backwards. E.g.,
|
Professional experience: | Detail your work history, focus on roles that are most relevant to the role you are applying for. |
Skills: | Add any technical or soft skills that are relevant to your field of work. |
Professional affiliation: | Add membership of relevant professional bodies. |
Publications and presentations: | Include relevant academic work you have had published (if applicable) |
Awards or honours: | Recognition you have received for your work. |
How long should my CV be?
The length of a CV for experienced professionals working in life sciences or healthcare can vary. However, ideally you need to keep your CV to a maximum of two pages. This allows you to detail key points without overwhelming the hiring team. Imagine you're a hiring manager sifting through hundreds of CVs. If every CV is more than 2 pages long, it would take a long time to assess them all and your key achievements could be missed.
Each section of your CV should clearly show your suitability for the role and should be matched to the job description. Using bullet points is a good way to make your CV more readable too, prioritising areas that most closely match the job description and person specification.
How should I show my achievements or success on my CV?
To bring your CV to life don’t just list your responsibilities, describe the outcomes. For example, if you contributed to a research project, explain the role you played and how you made a positive impact on the project.
Use active language and strong verbs to outline your achievements, such as ‘developed’, ‘led’, or ‘achieved’. It’s also helpful to quantify results by showing the difference you made by including evidence like, ‘increased efficiency by 35% by modifying the workflow process’.
Tailoring your CV for industry
In specialist fields like life sciences or healthcare, you can draw attention to your specific skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Using keywords from the job description when tailoring your CV, can help you get selected by automated tracking systems—this is particularly important for the skills and experience section of your CV.
For instance, you might use keywords to show:
Clinical competencies: Highlight your expertise in patient care or medical procedures.
Research experience: Show your involvement in studies or clinical trials.
Technical skills: Your level of proficiency using specialist software or equipment.
Regulatory knowledge: Your understanding of compliance, clinical protocols, or relevant guidelines.
What should I do if I have employment gaps or made career changes?
It’s important to explain any gaps in employment or significant career changes in your CV or cover letter. If you have taken time off for further education or to care for a family member, address this briefly to offer context for potential employers. Being transparent is essential and avoids difficult questions further along the hiring process.
Remember to proofread and format your CV!
Keeping your CV clean, professional, and consistent sets a good first impression and makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly assess your suitability. Using simple headings and an easy-to-read font is a must. If employers struggle to read you CV because you've used a fancy font, find if hard to see your essential qualifications or personal attributes, your CV could end up in the reject pile.
You also need to proofread your CV so you can correct any typos or grammatical mistakes. It can be helpful to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your CV, as they'll often spot errors you have missed.
Working with a specialist staffing agency
There are many advantages of working with a specialist life sciences or healthcare agency. Staffing agencies benefit from extensive networks, industry knowledge and existing relationships with talent acquisition teams or hiring managers.
Working with a sector specialist consultant offers candidates multiple benefits, including:
Expert guidance: A consultant can provide insights on industry trends and employer expectations, so you can tailor your CV more effectively.
Access to exclusive job opportunities: Some employers work exclusively with staffing agencies to fill their vacancies, giving you access to job openings that may not be advertised elsewhere.
Personalised support: Looking for a new job can be stressful. When you work with a consultant, they are on hand to offer personalised advice on crafting the perfect CV and negotiate on areas like salary on your behalf.
Interview preparation: If it's been a while since your last interview or you are new to industry, a consultant can coach you on interview techniques and help you prepare for competency-based interviews.
Career development: Working with a staffing agency can help if you are at a crossroads and need guidance with your next career move. Consultants can help with long-term planning to help you follow opportunities that match your professional development goals.
Conclusion
Your CV is a critical component of your job application, especially in the highly specialised fields of life sciences and healthcare. By strategically structuring your CV, emphasising your accomplishments, and tailoring your experience and skills to meet the specific needs of the job and industry, you can significantly enhance your visibility and appeal to potential employers.
Partnering with a staffing agency can further boost your job search efforts by providing expert guidance, access to exclusive opportunities, and personalised support. Remember, a well-crafted CV not only demonstrates your past success but also your potential for future contributions, paving the way for new opportunities in your professional journey.