Should You Write an Interim CV? Insights from the World of Executive Interim Recruitment
Building a career as an interim executive is a unique and rewarding path. However, it requires a distinct approach to marketing yourself, and your CV plays a crucial role in that. Many professionals considering interim work ask, “Should I write a CV specifically for interim roles?” The answer lies in understanding what makes interim careers different and how best to showcase your value.
Why Building an Interim Career Requires Specialisation
Interim roles are not just temporary positions; they are highly specialised assignments that demand specific expertise. Organisations turn to interims when they need immediate results—whether it’s navigating a period of change, leading a critical project, or filling a leadership gap. As such, building a successful interim career means:
- Being a Specialist: You need to demonstrate deep expertise in your field, whether it’s leadership, organisational transformation, or restructuring. Businesses are not looking for generalists; they want someone who has “been there and done it” in similar scenarios.
- Showcasing Agility: A strong interim profile conveys your ability to hit the ground running, adapt quickly to new environments, and make an impact from day one.
- Focusing on Results: Interim professionals are measured by outcomes, not just efforts. Employers want to see the tangible results you’ve delivered in past assignments.
This is where a tailored interim CV comes in, helping you highlight the specific skills and experience that organisations are looking for.
What an Interim CV Should Include
An interim CV differs from a traditional one in its focus and structure. It should:
- Highlight Key Achievements: Focus on what you’ve delivered, not just what you’ve done. Use metrics wherever possible—e.g., “Delivered £1m in cost savings through restructuring” or “Led a team of 50 through a successful ERP implementation.”
- Showcase Interim Assignments: Employers hiring for interim roles are often wary of candidates who are ‘testing the waters.’ Demonstrating a consistent track record of interim assignments reassures them that you understand the demands of this career path.
- Prioritise Relevance: Tailor your CV to the specific role or sector. For example, if you’re targeting transformation roles, highlight projects that showcase your ability to lead change.
- Be Concise and Impactful: Interim recruiters and hiring managers often have limited time. Use a clear, easy-to-read format that allows them to quickly see your fit for the role.
Should Everyone Write an Interim CV?
While a tailored interim CV can be invaluable, it’s not the right approach for everyone. Here’s why:
- If You’re Considering Permanent Roles
A CV heavily focused on short-term achievements might not resonate with employers looking for long-term hires. They could interpret your emphasis on interim work as a lack of commitment to a permanent role. - If You’re Early in Your Career
Interim work requires a solid foundation of experience. If your career journey is still in its early stages, a generalist CV might better showcase your potential and versatility. - If You’re Still Testing the Interim Market
Writing a full interim CV might be premature if you’re exploring whether interim work is right for you. In this case, a hybrid CV that combines elements of both permanent and interim experience could be a better fit.
Showcasing Impact: The Key to Interim Success
Regardless of whether you choose to write an interim CV, the ability to demonstrate your impact is non-negotiable. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Focus on Outcomes: Every role or project you list should clearly show what you achieved. Use action verbs like “delivered,” “transformed,” or “implemented,” and back them up with measurable results.
- Tell a Story: For each assignment, explain the challenge you faced, the actions you took, and the results you delivered. This STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework is especially compelling for interim roles.
- Emphasise Agility and Versatility: Highlight examples where you’ve stepped into unfamiliar environments or industries and quickly added value.
Final Thoughts
For those committed to building a career as an interim executive, a tailored CV is an essential tool. It allows you to position yourself as a specialist, demonstrate your agility, and showcase your impact—all of which are critical to standing out in a competitive market.
However, not everyone needs an interim CV. If you’re pursuing a mix of interim and permanent opportunities or are early in your career, a more generalist approach may be more effective.
Whatever path you choose, the most important thing is to craft a CV that tells your story, demonstrates your value, and aligns with your career goals. In the world of interim recruitment, your ability to make an impact is what matters most—and your CV should reflect that.
OUR FOCUS ON LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS
At re:find we believe that recruitment is not a one-off transaction but rather a long-term partnership. We aim to build long-term relationships with our clients, providing ongoing support and advice to help them find and retain the best talent for their organisation.
We understand that every organisation is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to recruitment. That’s why we offer bespoke recruitment solutions that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether you need help with a single hire or a full recruitment campaign, we can help.
We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality service. We take the time to understand your organization’s culture and values, as well as the specific skills and experience needed for each role.
For more information on our guide to executive search please get in contact with our Managing Director, James Cumming
