Build your CV
Your CV is your ticket to landing interviews.
Writing your CV
There is no single ‘right’ way to create and finalise a CV but here are some ideas to help you. Always keep in mind that the person reading your CV is considering you as a potential employee against many other candidates so make sure you give yourself the best possible chance to stand out.
Make sure your CV sells you:
- Make sure it’s carefully and neatly set out in a logical order
- That it highlights your skills and experience
- That it’s targeted on the exact role or industry for which you are applying (you may need to change the personal profile depending on what job you are applying for)
- That it’s not too long; try to keep it to two pages maximum
- That you have thoroughly spell-checked it.
Our Top Ten tips
These are the ten most important things that we think you should consider when writing your CV. How many do you currently have covered?
Employers spend, on average about ten seconds browsing through each CV so keep yours punchy and relevant, and reserve the detail for the interview.
A well set-out CV is more likely to get an employers attention. Use bullet points to help organise your information, and keep sentences short.
List all your education, qualifications and training, dated and in order, so they are easy to read. Do the same for your work history, highlight your skills and abilities and point out your achievements, backing them up with numbers where you can.
Sending the exact same CV to every job will make it harder for you to stand out. Spend a little bit more time wording your personal profile or highlighting the specific requirements employer is asking for. Looking up the company on the internet will help to work out what particular skills you should mention to them.
Blatant lies on your CV can get you in a heap of trouble when employers checking out your background, qualifications and references find out you weren’t truthful. In addition, if you get help from someone else to write your CV, remember that you will be the one at the interview when you all of a sudden can’t answer questions about things you said you could do. It’s not worth the hassle – don’t do it!
Leaving gaps on your CV because you have been out of work can be a concern to future employers, so try to turn it into something positive.
- Did you do any training or volunteer work?
- Did you use your time to keep fit or take up a hobby?
- Were you at home caring for your children or family member?
Remember, gaps might put an employer off giving you a chance. If you have any convictions then visit here to see how we can help you into employment
Check your spelling and grammar, ask someone to double-check what you have written then spell-check again!
Keep your CV current. Each time something new happens in your career, record it so you don’t later forget something that could be worthwhile.
Now you’re ready! Remember:
- Dig out all of your qualifications, training courses and certificates.
- Think about every job, any volunteer work you have done and work out the start and end dates for each one.
- Put together a list of all the skills and experience you want to include in your CV.
If you have followed our tips but still not getting interviews, maybe there could be issues with the job roles you’re applying for. If you would like to talk to us more, get in touch on 01724 844848.
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