So, how can you make your CV unique and stand out from the rest? Presentation, Content, Layout and tailoring your CV to the job description.
These key components will help rank your CV to the top.
Keep on reading for the best tips and advice to help you achieve that dream job.
How to format a CV
This CV will be the first insight the employer will have of you, so make sure it is a true reflection of yourself and your skills.
Here are some do’s and dont’s!
Do's
- Title the document with your name only.
- Write your CV using Times New Roman or Arial with font size between 10-12.
- Create subheadings in bold and in 12-14 font size to make each section stand out.
- Use bullet points and clear spacing.
- Use a reverse chronological order.
- Save the document appropriately and professionally such as ‘Eugene Walker CV’.
Dont's
- Do not title the document using ‘CV’
- Do not use multiple fonts and only increase font sizes for subheadings.
- Do not write in an essay format. Break up your CV.
- Do not write paragraphs explaining every detail. Employers will skim read and avoid massive blocks of writing. Choose the most important information.
- Do not list your hobbies and interests at the top. Start with your profile, education and most importantly, work experience.
- Do not save your CV as ‘doc1’ or ‘CV Draft 1’.
Contact Details
First and foremost, your contact details. They should include your full name, address, email address and phone number. Do not use a silly email address with your school nickname in, ensure your email is professional.
CV Profile/Personal Statement
Next, the dreaded CV Profile. Here, you must sell yourself in less than 100 words. Be concise and specific, pick out a few relevant achievements and skills, and at the same time express your career aims in a passionate way. Remember, tailor your profile to the industry you are applying to. Do not use generic descriptive words such as ‘passionate’, ‘hardworking’ and ‘multitasker’.
Skills and Achievements
Using 5-6 bullet points, List the appropriate skills relevant to the job you are applying for. Remember, you will be asked about these skills in your interview and you may be asked to complete an induction task in order to provide evidence of said skills.
You will then want to list your educational history. However, aspects of your academic record will not be relevant, so it is essential to keep this section short and sweet and put your most recent qualification at the beginning to capture the employer’s attention.
Work Experience
The next thing that should be visible on your CV is a summary of your work history. In this section you will want to include a list of positions you have held in the past, with your most recent position coming at the top of that list. You will also want to include a brief summary or a bullet point list of your responsibilities for each separate role. For higher-skilled positions held, you may want to go into more detail regarding your responsibilities.
Other Achievements
Relevant accomplishments can bolster your CV, presenting a different, unique side to your work personality. For example, talk about how you can speak three different languages, be trained in health and safety or link your portfolio.
Hobbies and Interests
Relevant interests to the job you are applying for will be helpful to talk about in an interview. It is important not to tell a little white lie here, as employers can see straight through them.
References:
By the time you finish your CV, you most likely won’t have much space left as it should only be two sides of A4. If this is the case, you can put ‘References available upon request’. However, to present yourself as well organised, include the two references here as this will save time communicating these references to the employer in a follow-up email.
Attached alongside your CV should be a Cover Letter. Not sure how to write a Cover Letter? Tune back to our website to discover the best tips and tricks when it comes to Cover Letter writing.
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