Top Tips for writing a CV
Should you list your work experience or achievements first? Do you include a photo or not? Will coloured paper make you stand out from the crowd? Writing your CV can be a minefield but there are certain simple rules you can follow. Discover the doâs and donâts of CV writing below.
CV doâs
Use a confident tone and positive language Use positive words to start each sentence, such as initiated, improved, introduced, developed, negotiated, established, created, pioneered, delivered, increased, reduced, saved etc. This also helps to ensure that youâre substantiating your skills with hard evidence
Concentrate on your achievements not your responsibilities This means listing things you have done â such as increase in sales, awards won â not rewriting your job description. Quote figures whenever possible.
Encourage the employer to read on Ensure that you put your most salient points on the first page of the CV to include your greatest successes and achievements and proven examples of how you have used your skills to benefit the companies you have worked for.
Keep to the point Be ruthless with yourself and keep your CV to a maximum of two pages. Only very senior, experienced executives have more to say.
Check, check and check again Check thoroughly for correct spelling and grammar â spotting errors is a quick and easy way of weeding out weaker candidates when faced with a mountain of CVs to read. Donât just rely on your computers spellchecker but get someone else to proof read it â you may have spelt a word correctly but used it in the wrong place.
Capture immediate attention Prioritise the content of your CV and detail the most relevant information first. Start with a hard-hitting personal profile that avoids clichĂ©s such as âhard-working, team player with excellent communication skillsâ. Make sure that all your career history is punchy and to the point with qualified and quantified successes.
CV donâts
List everything An employer really doesnât need or want to know all the one-day training courses you have ever been on. Keep information relevant and to the point.
Include a photo No matter how attractive you make yourself look, it will not improve your chances. This tends to be popular in other European countries but isnât favoured by the majority of UK businesses.
Get creative Donât use elaborate fonts and colours to make your CV stand out. The more gimmicky you make your CV using different shapes and pictures, the more off-putting it will be to an employer
Divulge sensitive information Never include your NI or passport number or any other sensitive personal information on your CV.
Talk about me, me, me Donât start each sentence in the first person. Instead use phrasing such as âSelected to manage or Successfully converted over 65% of valuations with an average fee of 1.8%
Talk in clichĂ©s Phrases such as âI am a highly motivated individual who works well on my own or in a team, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to work under pressure to produce results under tight deadlinesâ are dull and the employer has heard them all before. Make yourself stand out with carefully worded phrasing that is factual and captures the employerâs attention.
Make the recruiter jump through hoops If you are able to perform in the job, explain how in your CV. Donât expect the employer to read between the lines to work out whether you will be worth the ÂŁ40k salary per annum.