The presentation and content of your CV is usually the biggest determinant as to whether you even get as far as the job interview! Your CV needs to efficiently and professionally present your skills and attributes in the appropriate language and formatting.
Ten Top CV Writing Tips
1. Do Your Research- research the positions you are seeking on job boards and pick out the most relevant, sought after requirements.
2. Break Text Up- large chunks of text are off-putting and unwieldy for recruiters.
3. Have a Powerful Profile- ensure your profile is prominently at the top with a short and sharp summarisation of your most valuable skills.
4. Utilise the Core Skills Section- be sure to list your top qualifications, skills or knowledge in bullet points.
5. Use a Professional Email Address- purpleunicorn99@gmail.com, as an example, is not appropriate for your professional CV.
6. Point Out Your Impact- displaying previous responsibilities is good, but you need to demonstrate how your responsibilities and your results made an impact.
7. Have a Well-Structured CV- ensure your CV is easy to flow through and highlights the most important things: Contact Details, Profile, Core Skills, Job Roles, Education & Qualifications and Interests. Ideally, a CV is 2 pages long with a simple font, format and avoid using a photo.
8. Give a High-Level Summary of Your Job Role- first state what the employer does, where you sit within the organisation and how your role benefits the employer. Below that, you can list key responsibilities and key achievements. This method first gives some context before firing into responsibilities.
9. Avoid Generic Clichés- do not use terms like “hard working”, “team player”, “enthusiastic” and “out-of-the-box thinker”, present examples of what you have achieved as proof that you are these things.
10. Tailor Your CV to Every Job You Apply For- study the job advert to understand the sought-after crucial skills and ensure those are closest to the top (Core Skills or Profile) and in plain sight.