Writing a CV

Working in recruitment, we know that sometimes writing a CV can be a stressful task and so we have put together some basic rules on how to write a clearly formatted CV.

It is important to note that there is no universal solution for the perfect CV and it should always be tailored to the role you are applying for.

What information should you include on your CV?

PERSONAL DETAILS

For starters, you want to ensure that your personal details, i.e. your contact telephone number, location and email address are clearly presented on your CV.

This one may seem obvious but you’d be surprised how often we come across a CV with no contact details. Which of course makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for potential employers to contact you!

Therefore, it is best to ensure that these are clearly presented at the top of your CV.

PROFILE

You are going to want to include a personal statement/profile – this is essential for making your CV stand out from the rest! This also gives you a chance to explain who you are, what skills and experience you can offer and what you are looking for in your new role. There’s no need for this part to be any bigger than one short paragraph.

KEY SKILLS

Listing some of your key skills on a CV is a great way to demonstrate your capabilities and strengths.

Try to expand on these skills rather than just listing them off, for example;

• Customer Service skills – think about the different interactions you had with customers, were there any difficult situations? How were these resolved?

• Able to meet deadlines and manage own time – Did you manage to complete an important project on time – how did you manage this?

You do not need to list each and every one of your skills – the requirements listed in the job advertisement and your biggest strengths will do.

Try to include skills which show that you are capable of working within a team as well as using your own initiative.

WORK EXPERIENCE

This section should include all of your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent.

Be sure to include the name of the organisation, your position, how much time you spent in that post and your key responsibilities.

EDUCATION

The summary of your educational background and qualifications is a very important part of your CV.

This section should include;

• Academic results, diplomas, degrees and certificates

• Professional qualifications

• Work and vocational training

Remember to present this clearly, starting with the most recent. There is no need to list irrelevant details, for example, if you have been educated to degree level, there is no need to list each of your individual GCSE grades.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

It is not essential for you to include hobbies or interests on your CV, but it gives you a chance to stand out from the crowd and have something to talk about at an interview.

Try to include relevant hobbies and interests which back up your skills.

Your CV is the first thing an employer will see and so it is very important that it be presented clearly. Even if you have all the necessary skills and experience for the role, your CV being disorganised or confusing may result in it not getting a second look!

Choose a clear, professional font to ensure that it is easy to read. Good examples of fonts to use are Arial, Verdana, Calibri or Tahoma in font size 10 or 11.

Use headings, bullet points and short paragraphs as this will make it easier for employers to scan.

Be sure to explain any gaps in employment.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect, you do not want to miss out on an opportunity because of a spelling mistake!