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CV Tips
Develop a stronger and more persuasive CV
…with our easy 10-step guide
Employers and recruitment agencies want to see quickly and clearly whether you fit a specific vacancy and whether your broad skills and experience match the jobs they have available. Your CV is your own advertisement. It must sell you. There are no set rules, but the following steps will help you produce something relevant and readable.
1. Include your contact details
It sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many people don't! Include your full name, address, telephone number and email address. Include a cellphone number if you're happy to be contacted in that way. Make it as easy as possible for someone to reach you without getting your voicemail.
2. Include just enough information
You don't have to give your life history in a CV! All you're doing is selling yourself just enough to make someone pick up the phone or email you. You can give them more details afterwards, as appropriate.
3. Write a summary paragraph
This is a statement about who you are, what you're currently doing and what you can ‘bring to the party'. It's a chance to summarise your broad experience. It must set you apart from the next person with a similar skills-set. It must show that you understand what an agency or employer is looking for. Remember that today's economy is a global one, so you might also want to include where you've lived and worked. Highlight what you're looking for, where you're heading and what position you're aiming for. It helps everyone (including you) to filter out jobs that are not relevant.
4. Show the jobs and roles you've held
Starting with your current job, list the relevant jobs you've held. Include job title, company, location and dates. Below each one include a short summary of your responsibilities, achievements and successes in the role. Include experience in people management, project management, support roles, research capabilities, etc. If the job was a promotion, say so. If there are gaps in the dates of your career progression, you might want to say what you were doing. Even better - show how that time helped you grow and develop in a way that's directly relevant to your career. If you're a recent graduate, include your holiday jobs, even if unpaid, to show your experience.
5. Summarise your education, qualifications, key skills and training
This could include technical skills, computer skills, foreign languages, etc. You could also include relevant industry association memberships.
6. Sing your own praises
Have you won any particular awards or prizes in your career, or received any specific acknowledgement for projects you've undertaken? Can you mention things that show your dedication to achieve success? Make sure you include them.
7. Keep it relevant
Don't put things in for the sake of it. They must be relevant and they must be there to make a point - to show the employer or agency why they should contact you.
8. Include your personal data
This covers things like your full contact details, driving licence, residency status (if relevant), etc. Include your personal interests, too. It shows that you're a well-rounded person with a life outside work. It can also show what you've learned through those interests. For example, if you organise events for a local community organisation, that tells an employer a lot about your people skills, organisational skills and initiative.
9. Review the format
Many people like to keep their CV to four pages. If you use more than four, it's up to you to judge whether all the information is relevant and necessary. If it is, that's fine. If you really need to go into more detail about a particular role or experience, it's often ‘tidier' to do this on a separate sheet attached to your main CV.
10. Make it usable
Remember that an agency or employer may scan your CV. Make sure it suits this process. Include industry buzzwords, too, in case someone is searching the content on email or on the web.
Download our tips on successful interviews.
Happy hunting for your next job!
