CV Advice
Tips for Preparing Your CV
Your CV is an essential career document, which can dramatically affect your chances when entering the recruitment process. Taking the time to prepare an effective CV can make the difference between interview selection or rejection by a potential employer.
Whilst there are no strict guidelines as to the layout of a CV, there are some basic criteria, which should be presented in a concise, clear and persuasive manner.
A prospective employer will expect to find the following information and the order below is an advisable layout;
Personal details
Name, Address, Telephone numbers (home and mobile), Email address and Date of Birth
If applying for a position that involves travel, you may wish to add details of your driving licence. Your status and nationality may also be stated but this is not obligatory.
Education
Provide brief details of any qualifications gained at school and college i.e. GCSEs, 'A' Levels, Degree, BTEC, HND, NVQ, etc - along with grades attained. You may wish to mention the dates and location details of establishments attended but it is advisable to keep this information brief.
Work experience
It is advisable to begin with your current or most recent position of employment, as this is generally the most relevant to the employer. List the dates of employment, the company, their location and the role. Describe your work experience and responsibilities in short sentences or bullet points using straightforward, positive language.
Skills & Vocational Achievements
In this section you should inform the employer of any specific skills such as experience in IT / PC packages and programmes, languages and training courses undertaken during employment.
Hobbies
Including details of your hobbies and interests outside of the workplace is optional but can add additional dialogue to an interview. By adding brief details of specific activities or hobbies, you are giving an employer a more rounded picture of you as a person. However, this section should be succinct and only include current interests.
References
It is common practise to provide details of two referees, one of which should be your most recent employer. You should list the name, position and contact details for each person. Graduates and school leavers with limited work experience can nominate college lecturers, teachers or managers during work experience. Be sure to contact your referees in advance of an application or interview, so they will be prepared for any contact.
The presentation and layout of your CV
It is as important as it's content. Many Personnel, Human Resources and Management Executives see hundreds of CVs and simply do not have the time to examine every application in great detail. Following a standard format, as shown above, renders your CV easy for employers to quickly scan and glean all relevant information quickly. Listing your Work Experience chronologically also gives a good idea of career progression. However, if your career history is fragmented due to career breaks or a period of unemployment, you may consider a skills-based CV that highlights your abilities and aptitudes. It gives you the chance to describe what you can do, rather than detailing a list of jobs.Whatever your choice, your CV should look clear and tidy with all the information easy to find. Although it is tempting to make your CV stand out by using, for example, coloured paper or an arty layout, it is best to stick to black print on good quality white paper. If you are submitting your CV electronically by email, unless otherwise stated, you should send it in Microsoft Word format, as this is generally accepted as easy to open and read.
The following DO's and DON'Ts are a useful set of reminders to follow:
DO:
- Keep to the point - be succinct and clear
- Use a confident tone and positive language
- Place emphasis on your achievements as well as your responsibilities. List things that you have done e.g. product launches, sales increased, awards won, etc. Quote figures whenever possible and relevant
- Put your most relevant experience and skills first to encourage the employer to read on
- Ensure other skills that could raise you above the competition are highlighted e.g. languages, driving licence, IT skills
- Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages. Only very senior, experienced, executives may have additional relevant information
- Check thoroughly for correct spelling and grammar
- Many employers simply reject candidates who include such errors as a quick and easy way of weeding out weaker applicants when faced with many CVs to read
- Get a second opinion from someone you trust
- Include examples of your work, if appropriate
- Use good quality paper - white is usually best
DON'T
- Leave any gaps in your work record - this is essential in order to avoid employers making assumptions, e.g. you were sacked
- Lie. Many employers now use information service companies or sophisticated new software to check CV details for accuracy, including educational qualifications, places of study and the veracity of job references
- List all the one-day training courses you have ever been on
- Include a photo unless you know the employer wants one
- Fax it without sending a copy in the post as well
- Use elaborate fonts or colours - keep it simple