If you learn the secrets of reading the job advert properly, you can construct your CV to make sure that it matches the needs of the selection panel in a devastatingly targetted way



Changes in the rules governing how job adverts are constructed, means that it is sometimes difficult to work out exactly what they want

Step 1 simply involves carefully reading the job advert 2 or 3 times. Try to analyse every word to work out the meaning behind each selected phrase and term

Step 2 requires you to take a highligher pen and collect all of the behaviours, skills and attributes that the advert lets you know is important. At times, this is made very clear. But be on the look out for terms such as "some knowledge of" "experience of" and "would be appreciated", which let you know in a more subtle way what the panel is looking for

In Step 3, you need to write 3 headings at the top of a blank piece of paper. They should read Skills/Functions, Market/Sector, Behaviour/Soft skills. Beneath each heading, place the most relevant elements that you highlighted in the previous step

For step 4 you will place a value next to each of the elements that you have now categorised. Write down the value on the piece of paper that you have in front of you and place a "1" for critically important, "2" for quite important and "3" for nice to have.

Now, when constructing your CV, ensure that you place every one of the level 1 elements and most of the level 2 elements with the body of the text.