CV Tips
Your first interaction with a potential employer might start with your CV. It is therefore imperative to get it right to ensure you make the best possible first impression, selling your particular set of skills and qualifications to prospective employers.
Make sure your CV is concise and presented in a simple format. The majority of employers are interested in your experience and skills, therefore complex designs and graphics are not necessary.
Try to avoid lengthy paragraphs of plain text, break up your CV with bullet points and headings.
What to include in your CV
Your CV is a personal marketing document. It should tell prospective employers about you. It should highlight why you are the best person for the job.
When completing your CV ensure you include the following necessary details:
Personal Contact Details
- Name
- Professional Title
- Phone number,
- Email address,
- Residence - town and country is sufficient (it is not necessary at this stage to provide your full home address)
You could also include your LinkedIn profile. Please read our Professional & Social Networking Guidance before you do.
Personal Statement
You should aim to tailor your profile to every job you apply for, highlighting specific qualities that match you to the job brief.
Remember to keep this section brief yet informative, a short paragraph will suffice. It is used as an opportunity to provide your prospective employer with and overview of who you are, what you can offer their organisation and what your career goals are.
Experience and Employment History
Ensure you list your experience and employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent employer.
This section of your CV should state the following:
- Job Title
- Employer
- Dates
- Summary of each role
- Bullet points outlining key responsibilities, skills and achievements
In this section you should provide details that are relevant to the job you are applying. Detail how you have contributed to your current and previous roles, show your competence and back it up with evidence.
Provide brief descriptions for jobs that are not relevant.
Education and Qualifications
Your education should be listed in reverse chronological order and should include:
- Name of Institution
- Qualifications and Grades achieved
- Dates
Key Skills
It is important to include your key skills such as languages and software skills.
Specify your skill level i.e. "proficient in Microsoft office" "fluent French".
Most importantly, when writing your CV, ensure you are 100% honest as discrepancies will be quickly uncovered by a good interviewer, which in turn will undermine your integrity.