Victus Search, Multi-jurisdictional Recruitment Partner for Financial Services 1200 627

Date

11 July 2024

Category

Creating a compelling CV for professional services roles requires a tailored approach that highlights the specific skills, experiences, and attributes sought by employers in these sectors.

Whether you are aiming for a role in trust services, corporate services, tax, legal, accounting, family office, fund services, or capital markets roles, your CV needs to capture the attention and address the specific expectations of hiring managers in those niches.

Here are some tips to help you build an effective CV tailored to these industries.

1. CREATE A COMPELLING PROFILE, TAILORED TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ROLES

A thoughtfully crafted personal profile can be an effective opener — capturing the interest of the hiring manager. But to be successful, you should tailor the contents — how you present yourself, the skills and experience you touch on, even the tone and formality — to the specific role you’re applying for. 

Have the job description to hand and make sure your profile addresses the headline requirements. It’s worth investing the extra time to adapt this statement for every application. Employers quickly lose interest in reading generic personal statements — they see far too many of them.

2. SHOWCASE ROLE-SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

The next priority is to demonstrate your experience — but again, it’s important that it’s engaging as well as informative. Rather than listing your job description for each past role, focus on the achievements that are most relevant to the role you’re seeking. 

Most professional services employers value strong analytical and problem-solving skills, so it’s important to provide examples of how you have used these skills in your previous positions — and, importantly, show tangible results that you were able to deliver as a result. 

However, soft skills such as client interaction and management are just as crucial in many professional services roles. Highlighting your ability to manage client and colleague relationships, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively can help hiring managers make a decision on whether you’d be a good culture fit.

3. SUMMARISE QUALIFICATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS 

Qualifications and certifications are often important differentiators in professional services applications, but they’re not interesting to read about, so we recommend positioning them towards the end of your CV. Include step or partial qualifications, especially if they’re relevant to your ability to succeed in the role. For roles that require proficiency in specific software and tools, you can also highlight relevant technical skills or certifications.

The exception is when a specific level of qualification is mandatory for a role. In this case, you should highlight it within your top-of-page profile — for example, chartered status for an accounting role. 

4. ADD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT

Employers often want to hire candidates who are driven to grow their influence and impact beyond the basic job description. You can show your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth by including relevant training, workshops, and involvement in industry organisations. 

However, don’t fall into the trap of using every training day or upskilling session you’ve ever attended as filler. Stick to what’s specifically relevant to the role you’re applying for.

5. WORK WITH A SPECIALIST RECRUITER TO OPTIMISE AND TARGET YOUR CV FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ROLES

Working with a specialist recruiter like Victus Search can significantly enhance your job search in professional services. Our inside knowledge of the industry and well-developed global network of employers are invaluable in helping to tailor your CV and prepare for interviews.

  • Sector Expertise: We understand the nuances of professional services disciplines and can provide up-to-date insights into what employers are looking for.
  • Tailored CV Advice: We can help you identify and highlight the most relevant experience and skills for a specific employer, ensuring your CV stands out.
  • Access to Exclusive Opportunities: Our network gives us advance knowledge of job openings that are not advertised publicly, giving you a competitive edge.
  • Interview Preparation: We can provide guidance on interview techniques and what specific employers are looking for in terms of person and culture fit, increasing your chances of success.

To explore current opportunities in professional services roles worldwide, contact Victus Search today. We’ll discuss your options and help you ensure your CV is up-to-date, well-structured, and carefully targeted to your ideal employers.

Finding a precise match starts here

Whether you’re looking to fill a specialist role, or seeking the right position to deploy your unique skills and experience, the first step is to get in touch with one of our expert consultants.

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