CV and Interview Advice
Procurement CV Advice
How to Write a Standout Procurement CV
Want to land your dream procurement job? Your CV is your first chance to impress, so make it count! Here’s how to craft a CV that gets noticed:
Start Strong with a Personal Statement
Kick things off with a short, engaging summary of who you are, what you bring to the table, and what you’re looking for. Keep it tailored to the role.
Show Off Your Wins
Don’t just list what you did, highlight the impact you made. Did you negotiate a killer deal? Save your company money? Streamline a process? Use numbers to back it up, like ‘Cut procurement costs by 15% through strategic sourcing.’
Highlight the Right Skills
Procurement is all about strategy, negotiation, and supplier relationships, so make sure your CV reflects that. Other must-have skills? Risk management, cost savings, and knowledge of sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Add Those All-Important Certifications
MCIPS or CIPS qualifications show you’re serious about procurement so make sure they’re easy to spot on your CV.
Show You Get the Industry
Employers love candidates who stay ahead of the game. If you know about the latest procurement tech, sustainability trends, or digital transformation, weave that in.
Keep It Clean and Easy to Read
Stick to two pages max, use bullet points, and avoid big blocks of text. A simple, professional layout works best.
Tailor It for Each Job
One-size-fits-all CVs won’t cut it. Make sure your experience matches the job description, and use keywords from the listing to get past those pesky applicant tracking systems.
Show Your Growth
Have you done extra training, attended workshops, or learned new procurement strategies? Add them! Employers love to see that you’re always improving.
Proofread Like a Pro
Typos and errors? Big no-no. Check everything carefully (or get a friend to review it) before hitting send.
LinkedIn Matters Too
Recruiters will check your LinkedIn, so keep it updated and make sure it matches your CV. Bonus points if you have endorsements for key skills.
Procurement Interview Advice
How to Nail Your Procurement Job Interview
Got a procurement job interview coming up? Awesome! Now, let’s make sure you walk in (or log in) feeling confident and ready to impress. Here’s how to ace it:
Do Your Homework
Research the company, their industry, and recent procurement trends. Are they big on sustainability? Do they use digital procurement tools? Drop in some insights during the interview to show you’ve done your prep.
Be Ready to Talk About Real Wins
Expect questions like, ‘Tell us about a time you saved costs or improved supplier relationships.’ Have strong examples ready: bonus points if you use numbers! (‘I renegotiated contracts, cutting costs by 20% while improving supplier performance.’)
Show Off Your Key Skills
Procurement isn’t just about buying stuff. It’s about strategy, risk management, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. Make sure you highlight these skills with real-world examples.
Know Your Stuff on Compliance & Ethics
Sustainability, ethical sourcing, and risk management are huge in procurement right now. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance and make responsible sourcing decisions.
Demonstrate Your People Skills
Procurement pros deal with suppliers, stakeholders, and internal teams all the time. Show that you’re a great communicator and can handle negotiations, tricky conversations, and collaboration.
Prepare Smart Questions
Interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re also your chance to show interest in the role. Ask about their procurement strategy, supplier challenges, or how they handle risk.
Confidence is Key
Stay calm, be yourself, and let your experience shine. If you don’t know an answer, don’t panic—think it through and respond logically.
You’ve got this—go in prepared, stay confident, and land that job!