It pays to make a good first impression and that’s particularly true when it comes to looking for a new job. That is why a CV that helps you stand out from the crowd and gain an interview with a prospective employer is so important.
It’s a chance to showcase your skills, experience and qualities, so getting it right can make a life-changing difference on your career path.
With that in mind here are some helpful tips to make sure your CV is just the job.
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Keep your CV clear and concise, using formatting, headings and short and snappy bullet points. Always start with your most recent history first.
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Tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for and list examples of achievements rather than using buzzwords like ‘hardworking’ or ‘commercially focused’. Remember to showcase additional qualifications or certifications that are relevant to that role.
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Using your most recent qualifications helps keep your CV relevant. Academic achievements become less significant when you have clocked up years of work experience.
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Less is more so keep to a maximum of two pages and use a good modern font in black or navy – don’t be tempted to use lots of colour
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Don’t go into too much detail. There’s no need to list all your duties and tasks – focus on your achievements and successes in each role.
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Photos are not necessary as many companies are trying to reduce unconscious bias in their recruitment processes
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Remember to avoid the use of jargon and writing in the first person and don’t use a generic CV-writer tool if you want to make the best impression
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Finally, carefully check your spelling and grammar as careless mistakes will not look good
Time spent on making your CV the best it can be is a worthwhile investment to unlock those future job opportunities. Good luck with your job search!
