CV Writing Tips

How to write a good CV

1. Make sure that you focus your CV towards the key skills mentioned on the job advertisement. For example – should an advert list requirements such as an exposure to risk assessment methodologies or sales cold calling – make sure these are clearly mentioned on the first page of your CV.
2. Make sure you have ALL your contact details on the first page of your CV: email address, home phone number and mobile. Recruitment can be a fast-moving business so we may have to talk to you at short notice.
3. List your most advanced qualifications such as a degree or A-Levels –this is more important than including extensive details about your Schooling. As a general rule, employers are much more interested in any commercial experience you have.
4. Personal profiles can be helpful, but make sure they are succinct and give an overview of your skills and aspirations – eg: ‘Graduate IT Account Manager looking to develop their career with a larger company’
5. Try to be positive on your CV – avoid dwelling on failures or weaknesses; Employers are always more interested in what you do have to offer than what you do not.
6. Include any skills which may be useful in a business environment, such as linguistic skills, a current driving licence, and anything that demonstrates business-friendly attributes such as team working, leadership, literacy and numeracy.
7. Avoid leaving gaps in your CV; this only causes questions to be asked that can delay the recruitment process unnecessarily.
8. If you looking for your first job following university and you have no relevant work experience detail your final year project and the modules you have covered.