Your CV is the very 1st impression that your prospective employer will have of you & they will spend, on average, 7 seconds looking at your CV, therefore it is essential that you make it stand out from the crowd.
It can be quite a daunting & stressful task to start writing a CV and although there is no right or wrong format, we know that there are certain effective layouts which do work well and will enhance your chances of securing an interview.
Take a look at our helpful hints & tips together with some do’s & don’ts to guide & support you in the process.
- Personal Details – as well as your name, you need to include your contact number, email & postal address.
- Personal Statement – this is your introduction in a paragraph. Concisely state your attributes, what you have to offer & what you would like to achieve. Ensure your statement makes it clear why the employer needs to carry on reading.
- IT Skills – highlight systems & databases you have used & your proficiency with certain software
- Professional Qualifications/Licenses – detail your professional development/qualifications, training, certificates & licenses that you have achieved
- Education – detail in reverse-chronological order from GCSE level (or equivalent) & where you studied
- Employment History – detail in reverse-chronological order – include job title, company name, employment dates, key responsibilities & reason for leaving. This section is used to demonstrate your skills & experience & is an opportunity to show your achievements & successes
- Hobbies & Interests – only include this section if they are relevant to the role that you are applying for, support your application & make you stand out from the crowd
- Tailor your CV to each vacancy to highlight your suitability
- Use a clear & professional font which is easy to read
- Keep your CV concise & to the point
- Bullet point key responsibilities (avoid lengthy paragraphs)
- Check spelling & grammar thoroughly
- Explain any significant breaks in your employment history
- You do not need to include your date of birth on your CV
- Avoid technical terms, jargon or acronyms unless relevant to the role
- Do not lie about any of your credentials on your CV