Since October's update, Prizm has worked on what your CV shows: first to the software that screens applications, then to the recruiter who reads it. Here's what's new, and what stays the same.
Your CV against the job, in one number
From the verdict onwards, a "Your CV against the job" ring tells you how much of what the job asks for your CV already shows. That means the job title, the keywords the ad mentions, and the experience or education it asks for.
When an ad says too little for a number to mean anything, Prizm doesn't show one.
This number doesn't replace the verdict: the verdict tells you whether the job is worth applying to, the number tells you what your CV shows of it.
While you review, the ring follows your CV as you edit it: it goes up with each part that's tailored and each keyword you add.
The job ad's words, in the right place
When your CV proves what the ad asks for without using its word, Prizm writes that word into the line that proves it.
For tools, methods and fields your profile already proves, Prizm also adds them to your skills line, as ticked tags: one click removes one. It never adds a language, a certification, a degree, a length of experience or a personal quality on its own. You add those yourself, if you really have them.
A title that matches you
When Prizm tailors your title, it uses the job title from the ad, and if your CV is in French, it now matches your gender. An ad for a "Contrôleur de gestion H/F" gives "Contrôleuse de gestion" on a woman's CV. Your summary, your experience and your cover letter follow the same agreement.
Prizm reads it from the way your CV talks about you, never from your first name or a photo. You'll find it in your Settings, under "Sex", and you can change it. If your CV doesn't say, your title keeps the ad's wording.
Prizm only uses it to match the wording of the texts it writes for you: neither the verdict nor your CV's number against the job takes it into account.
Your CV, page by page
The preview now shows your CV split into pages, the way it will come out: how many pages it has, and how far the last one goes. It follows every edit you make while you review.
The Layout button, above the preview, opens four settings: text size, line spacing, space between blocks and margins, each with its real measurement. Your PDF and Word files come out with the layout you see. Depending on the software that opens your Word file, a page may break slightly differently.
Your next application picks up your latest settings. Go back to the original settings, and Prizm decides again: it then tightens the layout slightly when that's worth it, and tells you so.
These settings apply to Prizm's five templates. If you keep your own Word layout, it stays yours.
Fit on one page
Before you start preparing, tick Fit on one page. Prizm then writes your experience more concisely. If that isn't enough, it tightens the layout, then removes the last lines of the roles that matter least for the job, and if needed one older role entirely.
It never removes a line from the roles that matter most for the job, nor anything from your header, title, summary, skills or education, and it never removes your first role entirely.
Every removed line shows in the review, next to your original CV. One action puts back everything you haven't edited yourself since. If your CV still doesn't fit on one page, Prizm tells you and keeps the shortest version.
You can also change it while you review, in the Layout button. Your next application picks up the choice made before preparing. With your own Word layout, Prizm applies the lines from your review, but can't guarantee one page.
Your CV in columns, read in the right order
A PDF CV with several columns could be read out of order: one role ended up with another role's tasks. Prizm now reads every PDF CV in the order of the page, and switches to a visual reading when the layout is too complex.
If your CV looked misread, upload it again from "Documents".
What doesn't change
- The verdict is free, and still honest. If a job ad isn't worth applying to, Prizm tells you.
- Nothing goes out without you. Prizm prepares your documents; you review them, edit them, and you're the one who sends them.
- No fact is ever made up. A line that would bring in a number, a tool or a company that isn't in your documents is dropped, and your original line goes back in its place.
A question, a problem?
Write to us from "Contact us" in your space, or at contact@heyprizm.com.