Writing a good CV
can be one of the toughest challenges of job hunting. Most employers
spend just a few seconds scanning each CV before sticking it in the
'Yes' or 'No' pile. Harsh.
But never fear! We've compiled our Top 10 hints on how to show the world 'this is me!' and get that all-important interview.
1. Keep it real!
Usually a CV should be no more than two pages – and that's two
pages of A4 paper! Employers spend, an average, just 8 seconds looking
at any one CV, and a surefire way of landing yourself on the no pile is
to send them your entire life story. Keep it punchy, to the point, and
save those niggly little details for the interview.
If you want examples then check out our free CV templates
2. Tailor it
We've all done it. Whizzed the same CV out to lots of employers
to save time... Stop! Take the time to change your CV for each role that
you apply for. Research the company and use the job advert to work out
EXACTLY what skills you should point out to them. They will appreciate
the obvious effort.
3. Include a personal statement
Don’t just assume an employer will see how your experience
relates to their job. Instead, use a short personal statement to explain
why you are the best person for the job. This should be reflected in
your cover letter as well see our tips to the perfect cover letter
4. Don't leave gaps
We are a cynical bunch and leaving obvious gaps on your CV
immediately makes employers suspicious – and they won't give you the
benefit of the doubt. If you’ve been out of work it can be a worry but
just put a positive spin on it. Did you do a course, volunteer work or
develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork or project
management? If so, shout about it!
For more information, check out our CV template for the currently unemployed
5. Keep it current
You should keep your CV up-to-date whether you’re looking for a
job or not. Every time something significant occurs in your career,
record it so you don't later forget something that could be important.
6. The error of your ways
Employers DO look for mistakes on CVs and if they find them, it
makes you look really bad. David Hipkin, head of recruitment and
resourcing at Reed Business Information, warns, 'With most employers
experiencing massive volumes of applicants right now, giving them the
excuse to dismiss your application because of avoidable errors is not
going to help you secure an interview.' If you're unsure then use a
spellchecker and ask someone else to double-check what you've written.
And don't ignore the most common CV mistakes
7. Tell the truth
Everyone lies on their CV, right? NO! Stop! Blatant lies on your
CV can land you in a whole heap of trouble when it comes to employers
checking your background and references. The last thing you want is to
start work and then lose your new job for lying. You also may get caught
out at the interview stage when you suddenly can't answer questions on
what you claim to know. And that can be VERY awkward!
8. The maths
This may sound dull but by backing up your achievements with
numbers it makes selling yourself much easier. When writing your work
history, don’t just say that you increased sales; tell them you
increased sales by 70% over a six month period. Get it? Big numbers are
especially good (although don't forget point 7 of our list!).
9. Make it look good
We live in a world where image is everything, and that also goes
for your CV. Take some time to pretty it up... Use bullet points and
keep sentences short. Use the graphic design trick of leaving plenty of
white space around text and between categories to make the layout easy
on the eye. Alternatively, get creative with your job application!
10. Make it keyword friendly
If you’ve uploaded your CV to a job site so recruiters can find
you, keywords are very important. Job titles and job buzzwords will help
a search engine pick out your CV from the pile. Confused? Don't be. A
marketing candidate might mention SEO (Search Engine Optimization),
direct marketing and digital marketing among their experience and
skills, for example... If you're not sure, have a search online and see
what words are commonly mentioned when you input your job title.
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