Your CV

Busy recruiters spend less than 30 seconds looking at each CV to decide if yours goes on the “Yes” pile or on the “Nos”, so your CV has to get their attention – quickly.
 
There is no right or wrong way to write it, but your CV should reflect your individuality. Try to tailor your CV for each application, and suit the culture of the organisation you are trying to impress. A one size fits all approach will not always do you justice.
 
Having read an advertisement or job description, try to match the word or phrases in your CV to some of the requirements of the job. There are many ways of saying the same thing – use positive, action orientated words.
 
 
Basic guidelines to writing your CV
 
•   Keep it to two sides of A4 if possible
 
•   Don’t use a fancy font – they are difficult to read and may put some employers off
     – use  Arial at 11pt size or something similar
 
•   It sounds simple – but make sure you spell check the document before printing it out
 
•   Make sure you shout about your achievements, but also don’t oversell yourself
 
•   Start with the most recent when referring to employment and education details and work your way backwards
 
•   Don’t leave gaps between education and employment details. If you have been travelling or using time to volunteer make sure you mention it
 
•   Be concise with your wording, try not to have long sentences and paragraphs, try not to use abbreviations and, if you have to, make sure you identify what they stand for
•   use headings, bold and italic type to help the reader navigate
 
•   Make sure you tell the truth! Don’t lie, because if you get to the interview stage you may be failed!

Tailor your CV

While many people have one CV, it is worth spending time on tailoring a CV to a specific job, especially if you’re serious about getting it. Read the advertisement and person specification and make sure that you show how you meet the criteria. A functional summary can be useful to achieve this if the standard layout of work experience and key achievements doesn’t cover the points well enough for you.

State relevant experience clearly

If they are specific in what they need (essential criteria) it is likely that they will shortlist the applications using these criteria. You need to be explicit that you have what they ask for or they may have to discard your application. Remember, an employer can’t call you to interview if you don’t give them the information they need.

Layout of CV
 
This is a general layout for a CV, depending upon the sector that you work in you may want to change it around.
 

•   Personal Details - Name, Address, Contact Telephone Number, Date of Birth
 
•   Personal Profile – this is a chance to highlight your strengths and achievements to grasp the employer’s attention
 
•   Education and Qualifications – start with the most recent first then work backwards… e.g University, College, High School, include the names of the establishments and the levels of the qualifications gained
 
•   Previous Employment and work experience - again start with the most recent first and then work backwards include any work experience or voluntary work during ‘years out’
 
•   Other relevant skills - in this section explain any other relevant training courses, qualifications or professional memberships.
 
•   Hobbies, interests and achievements – list all your extra curricular activities, most of these will be un-related to work. However you can use this opportunity to illustrate how the skills you have learnt have helped you progress in your career.
 
•   References – you can either supply two references (which are usually two previous employers, or one previous employer and one personal reference) otherwise you can state that references can be supplied on request.