Your CV is probably the most important document you will ever write and deserves time, care and effort.
- You want your CV to be user-friendly
- You want it to tell the person reading it exactly why they should invite you in for interview
- You want it to show all your skills and experience
- You want it to be relevant
- You want the job!
Preparation
Make a list of all the skills, competencies, qualifications and experience you have. Make sure your details (such as dates, exam grades, etc.) are correct and that you have all the information you need before you start to write your CV.
If you are applying for a particular position, read the requirements for that position carefully and make sure that you show in your CV how you meet those requirements. Use the same terminology to make sure that it is obvious why you are suitable.
DO NOT GET TOO 'CREATIVE' - CVs can be checked out. By all means present what you have done in a positive light, but do not say you were the office manager when you were not, or that you got a first in your degree when you actually got a lower second.
Structure
Start with your name and personal details (they will need to be able to contact you to arrange an interview). You do not need to write Curriculum Vitae in big letters at the top, they will know what it is!
A personal statement giving a summary of who you are and what you want in a few carefully worded sentences is a good start.
Then you need to show your education, qualifications and work experience. Always start with the most recent first. This will mean that they will see at a glance your highest academic achievement and your current/last role. Most recent means most relevant.
For each job you have had you should give company name, dates worked, job title and what you actually did there. When giving details of your duties and achievements under each position you have undertaken, bullet pointed lists are easier to digest. They also mean that you are less likely to waffle!
Highlighting particular achievements is good, e.g. Achieved a 20% increase in sales for the department, however you should be prepared to explain at interview exactly how you achieved this and whether it was a team achievement or all your own.
Format
This is a CV, not a work of art. Remember that it is a functional document. Too many fonts, sizes, graphics and special effects will distract from the content. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Many people say you should make your CV no longer than one side. This is dangerous unless you are incredibly senior. Many employers will have a checklist of things they are looking for on your CV, so if you are too brief you could lose points as they cannot see what you have done.
Two to three A4 pages is ideal. Any longer and it is unlikely that it is all completely relevant. It is recommended that you supply the details of two referees (name, address, contact number), however you should, as a matter of courtesy, notify these people that reference requests may be coming through to them and that they should respond as soon as they can.
Covering Letter
A covering letter should never be a standard letter. This is obvious to the person on the receiving end and shows a lack of effort. Think about the position you are applying for.
As a rough guide, a covering letter should be no more than 18 lines long. Show that you have read and understood their requirements. Mention three points that make you relevant to this job. Then think of other skills or experience you have that adds value or exceeds their expectation. Tell them why you want to work for them in particular.
Top Tips
- ALWAYS check the name and address you are sending it to. Don not spell their name wrong!
- ALWAYS get someone else to proof read your documents for you, they may pick up mistakes you have missed. In something as important as a CV, spelling and grammatical errors are inexcusable.
- NEVER lie or exaggerate, you will have to prove what you say at some stage and you will get caught out. You may even lose your job if they find out later that you have made false claims.
- DON'T try to be too flash. An interview is the time to show your personality, don not try to be funny in your CV or covering letter in case the person reading has no sense of humour.
- ALWAYS keep your CV updated, you never know when you might need it next.
If you need any further help, please do not hesitate to contact Venture Personnel on 01543 268 192.
Good Luck!!