Your CV will determine whether you are selected for an interview in most cases and so it needs to be great.
In a sea of candidates looking for work, writing a cracking CV that stands out from the crowd is one way for employers and agencies to select you to enter their process.
So, how can you create a winning CV? Follow these simple tips and you shouldn’t go far wrong!
1 – Give it the time it deserves
For most, it’s not the most enjoyable of jobs to do on a Sunday afternoon. A CV takes time, information has to be gathered and put together in the right areas and so grab yourself a cuppa, a pen and some paper and start making draft notes about what you want in there. It shouldn’t take you more than a couple of hours and those couple of hours, if spent correctly could make all the difference in your job search.
2 – Use the correct layout
What should go first – education/qualifications/employment history?? I’ve seen it done lots of different ways but if you follow this layout you’re hitting employers and agencies with the things they want to know quickly without having to go through your entire CV.
Personal Details – name, address, contact details
Personal Profile – Who are you, what’s great about you and what do you do well?
Career Highlights – Sales people should quote their best performance in here vs targets, increase in client base, business wins etc. Others may comment on projects they’ve accomplished, awards they have won, systems they have improved etc.
Employment History – Most recent first going back. Use your Employers name, your job title and a brief summary of your role.
Education/Qualifications – School, College, Uni, Work based qualifications
Hobbies/Interests – Tell us what you do outside of work
References – Available on request is pretty standard, and fine. If you want to quote an individual that’s fine too.
3 – Make your personal profile an advert
This is the first thing any potential employer will read and so it needs to sell who you are. No more than 4 or 5 lines, it should highlight your personal qualities and attributes and sell what you do best. For example; I am a strong Account Manager that has worked in the I.T sector for the past 3 years. In this time, I have looked after XXX customers and helped them achieve their goals. I am ambitious and driven and enjoy customer contact being a part of my daily role.
4 – Highlight your key successes and career highlights early on
Straight after the employer reading how great you are and what you do best, they then get to read your key successes and career highlights in bullet fashion straight away. This is the good stuff, across your career to date what can you brag about? Pull to the surface your ‘best bits’ and the employer is already engaged before even reading about your employment history!
5 – Remember the all important hobbies and interests
This is the human bit in a sea of black and white text. This will give the employer a bit of an insight into what you do outside of work. Some people talk about their families, pets, sports, music, films and other interests. Some talk about travel, their favourite book, and things they collect. There’s no script on this one, it’s all about you. What’s great about this is the employer may have the same hobby/interest and you have an immediate connection and something to break the ice at interview.
If you need support or advice on creating your CV then drop us a line. We’re here to help you from the start of your journey right through to helping you secure your new role.