How to Write a Great CV
Despite the increased use of social networks such as LinkedIn for job searching, your CV is still the most important tool to help secure your next role. Below are some brief tips/advice to help you write a great CV.
CV Format
- The length of the CV should ideally be 1-2 pages. You are trying to grab the reader’s attention and should be an overview of your skills, experience and achievements
- The CV should contain a brief summary at the top of who you are and should try avoid clichés such as ‘good team player’. Explain yourself and your skills in a clear introductory manner, open with the current profession you are in and add what it is you are looking for (the role you are applying to)
- Summarise the roles you have had with the current or most recent role first, the best CVs are presented chronologically
- Always tailor the CV to the specific job you are applying for
- Address any career gaps that you have and clearly explain these
- List your professional and academic qualifications and the final results you have received for any degree/course
- Avoid endless blocks of text and use an easy to read font, simply presented CVs work best
Sell Yourself
- Highlight your greatest achievements. A great CV will not just list the responsibilities of the roles that you have had. You should highlight your best achievements in these roles, for example, projects you have worked on or results of the work you have done e.g. a 50% reduction in the amount of unpaid invoices
- You should again link these achievements and responsibilities to the job you are applying for and make them relevant to that
Only Include Relevant Information
- In order to keep your CV concise and interesting it is important that you omit irrelevant information. Employers and recruiters will read hundreds of CVs so make sure you have highlighted the ‘best stuff’ early on in the CV
- Demonstrate that your skills and experience are relevant to the job you are applying for and remove the other information
Check, Re-Check and Check Again
- This seems an obvious one, but vital to check your CV for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ask somebody else to read it and re-check after you have. First impressions count!
- Employers review a huge volume of CVs and often look for reasons to exclude a CV or candidate so make sure that you won’t be overlooked because of this
