Do you feel as though your CV isn’t working for you?
We’re often asked by job seekers whether we think their CV is laid out correctly, and the truth is… there’s no right or wrong way to lay out your CV. As long as all the relevant information is on there and it’s easy to read, then you’re on to a winner!
Format of your CV:
There are no specific rules on how you present your CV, as long as it’s easy to read and has the key information on it, you can’t really go wrong. Just remember to keep it simple!! Over-complicated presentation will make it difficult for the reader to establish whether you’re right for their role, so make sure you’ve used a clear font, simple layout and don’t include unnecessary pictures. You want it to highlight your skills and experience first and foremost!
Things to include in your CV:
Personal Profile:
Include a short paragraph about yourself covering your key skills and experience. It’s a great way of grabbing the attention of hiring managers/potential employers when you’re applying for job roles.
The benefits of including a personal profile:
- You can use them to highlight what makes you great, including why you are right for that company and that role.
- You can change it up for each role you apply for, using it to show in the first few lines of your CV that you have the right skills and experience for the position.
- It’s also your chance to get across your personality, so make it unique to you. Tell them what makes you great!
Relevant education/qualifications:
- Include any relevant qualifications and training courses you’ve completed, starting with your most recent first and working backwards.
Employment history
- Starting with your most recent employment first, include the dates employed, position(s) held, a brief description of your duties and achievements – bullet points are often a good way to layout the duties.
And crucially, your contact information/personal details
- Don’t forget to include your contact number, email address and also include your location so employers know you live in the area (if you’re looking to relocate, still include your current location but also state the area you’re relocating to)
You could also include a bullet-pointed key skills section (this can be really handy for highlighting any systems you’ve used or skills you have that are specific to the role you’re applying for), hobbies and interests and reference details if you wish, but these aren’t essential so it’s more about personal choice.
Once you’ve completed your CV, look at it again but pretend you’re the employer. Does it cover all the essential requirements on the job description that you have experience in? You may need to revise your CV if not and make sure you use that personal profile to highlight specific skills relevant for that job, as you want to give the employer all the information they are looking for to secure that interview!
If you’d like advice on how to improve your CV, get in contact with us here.
