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CV Writing Insight

Your CV is your first chance to sell yourself and your experience, getting it right is the crucial first step towards your next job.  Given this fact it is surprising how many people overlook simple things that can be the difference between an interview and a rejection.

First page

If a CV is the first impression, the first page of the CV is all important.  Whether sending your CV to a recruitment provider or an end client, the first goal is to get the receiver to actually read it. The first page can often be the difference in whether your CV gets read or not, particularly if there is a high volume of competition and the client or recruitment provider has a high number of CVs.

Include key skills and recent experience, most recent experience first and the first page should summarise your skill set and create the interest to read the CV in full.

Think about Achievements, Experience, Languages, Special Skills, Qualifications, Education and Training.

Presentation

Presentation is also important if your CV is to stand out. Avoid using tables which may corrupt when being sent through agent CRM systems or stored in databases. Word format and templates are always best as most recruiters or HR departments may need to add forms and coversheets. Use detailed bullet points, but keep the sentences relatively short and to the point.

Bespoke

Do be prepared to tailor your CV according to the job that you are applying for.  This means ensuring that you draw attention to the key skills and experience that are relevant to that particular role. If you are multi-skilled and can do a number of roles, you need to have a CV for each type of position you would apply for, and a general CV for when applying to a role which needs more generic skills.

Personalise

You often need to stand out from the many other applications for a role.  This means putting a personalised slant on your CV, drawing on the strengths that are unique to you.  

However, think twice before putting a photo on your CV: you want to be considered on your merit and not for what you look like.  Likewise, video CVs may be right if you are interviewing for a TV part but they can be very difficult to pull off effectively.

Summarise

Summarise your relevant attributes and skills on the first page along with your personal details. This gives you the chance to sell yourself to the recruiter as quickly as possible.  Never rely solely on the receiver to actually read the full CV. Pick out key details, make it easy to read and keep the readers interest.

History

Employment history in date order, most recent first.

Accuracy

Simple errors in spelling and grammar will give completely the opposite impression to the one you are trying to create.  Don’t just use the spell check in Word to do the job, ask somebody to read it through for you very carefully.

Length

Keep your CV relevant to your current skills now. A CV that is long in content will not get read in depth. Keep it sharp and relevant to the skills you currently hold rather than focusing on everything you have done in your whole career. Normally a client will be interested in recent experience, ideally the last 5 - 10 years. However, if you have a long history in a field you could use one page to summarise experience  beyond your last 10 years.

Your CV should normally be two to five pages in length (unless you have had a very long career or a recruiter or client asks for a longer CV).

Tell the truth

You want to present yourself in the best possible way but don’t stretch the truth.

CV Writing Help

All Jobseekers represented by Amoria Bond will receive consultancy on how to improve their CV.  We will also provide a Professional Front Page tailored for every role you are submitted for.  Some other helpful online resources:

www.cvtips.com

www.Monster.co.uk  Monster has a wide range of CV writing resources including a very in-depth E-book ‘How to create the perfect CV’.