In the new world of social network and search, managing your business or career profile can be a mammoth task. It becomes very apparent when you see the volume of CVs that we do that it's easy for even the best people to get it very, very wrong.
We have worked with people who have forgotten that those very amusing but slightly risqué pictures of them on Facebook might send out the wrong signals to a prospective employer, and are easily picked up by the most perfunctory of searches. We have patiently pointed out that people's career history on Linkedin bears scant relation to the one on their CV, or that the dates don't quite 'match'.
We have also noted politely that this is a small industry, and that being rude about your previous employer in any public medium might be inadvisable. And we have lovingly dried the tears of those whose inappropriate status update has turned the atmosphere in their current working environment decidedly sour.
That's all before we get onto the CV itself, where the crimes against career progression are many and various. The great lengths that people feel they need to go to describe a career spanning a mighty 18 months (I think our record is six pages of A4) – the lists of skills so long that they might as well note the ability to breath in and out.
Then there's the list of achievements so numerous that even your mother would get bored in the telling, and interests, that are many things but certainly not interesting (please everyone, socialising and food do not qualify as interests; they barely qualify you as human). There are also the fundamental crimes of bad spelling, grammar and syntax, combined with terrible layouts, font and design.
But with some time and effort, a bit of careful attention (and if necessary some help from your friendly neighbourhood headhunter), it's perfectly straightforward to create an attractive, hard-working, and successful profile. So here are Copper's top tips for a top CV ...
Consider the bigger picture
Remember that any potential employer who takes the CV you send them at face value would be a fool. Make sure that your digital presence is up to date, accurate and consistent with the traditional CV that you put together. If you have a website or blog that you're proud of, reference it on your CV – if you have anything up on a social site that you wouldn't want a potential employer to see, check, check again and double check that your privacy settings are up to date. Or even better take it down. Google yourself if you haven't already, and see what comes up.
Keep it short
The sad truth is that most people will spend just moments glancing over your CV, so be ruthless about what you include. One page is ideal.
Get the basics right
List your work experience in reverse order. Explain any gaps. Put dates in the same format. The further you are into your career the more brutal you need to be with the stuff at the beginning (no-one is that interested in your GCSEs). Keep contact details short and to the point – employers usually ask for referees if they need them – and check your spelling and grammar, and if that's not your forte, get someone else to check it for you.
Think about how it looks
Find a typeface that works for you, and then think carefully about how you structure headings, sub-headings and bullets if you use them. Think about whether a dash of colour might be in order. If you see a CV design that you like, borrow it, or even better, get a friendly designer to have a look at it for you – it's a good investment. When you're happy with it save it as a .pdf to make sure that no-one can fiddle with the content.
Prioritise achievements over responsibilities
Unless the role you're listing is likely to be very unfamiliar, there's little point in including anything that amounts to a job description in a CV. Instead, think about what you've achieved: quality of work, relationship, profitability. What are you most proud of? Think about your personal contribution, not just what the team or organisation delivered.
Write a personal profile
They are difficult to write, but can be very effective. To work they need to avoid the 'team player who is happy to work independently' clichés – avoid the third person as well because it sounds forced. If you find it too uncomfortable then just let your experience speak for itself, but it is worth having a go.
Make your interests interesting
If they're not, leave them out. They're interesting if they say something about your personality, are particularly memorable, or are extremely relevant to a future employer. Most people like travelling, eating out and occasionally going to the cinema or a gallery – not many people play the trumpet or make their own clothes.
Seek feedback
Read your CV as a potential employer would, with a critical eye, then get someone else to do likewise.
Good luck, and happy job hunting.
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