Writing your CV is an important document when job hunting and its important that this is kept regularly updated and is written clearly and easy to read by potential hirers.
We have included a quick guide to help you in getting your CV in tip top shape.
- Use bullet points.
This is a great way to break up text and make it more readable for employers. You do not want to end up with long and detailed sentences that take half of the page, so use bullet points to outline your duties/responsibilities in a simple and neat way.
- Keep it to two pages.
The most effective CVs are not just informative, they’re also concise. Try and get straight to the most important points, and ideally take up no more than two sides of A4, 3 at the max. If you have had a long career history, try and focus on just the last 10 years.
- Include a personal statement.
A significant number of people neglect to include this at the start of their CV which is a big mistake, as this can be the selling point. Write few sentences right at the top of the first page, illustrating your unique skills that make you a perfect match for the role. Ensuring you update this for every role that you apply for. Clearly outline the kind of role you are applying for and why and try to include the top three most relevant skills very briefly.
- Work in chronological order.
Whether you are writing about your experience or your education, the most recent information is the most important. Always put it first.
There is also some common mistakes to avoid when creating your CV which we have detailed below.
- Do not choose inappropriate font and size.
Times New Roman is one of the most commonly used fonts, but you may find that Cambria or Calibri are better options for you. The ideal font size is 11 – remember, the hiring managers will be scanning your CV, so it needs to be nice and easy to read.
- Do not Include irrelevant person information.
You don’t need to include your nationality and you definitely don’t need to mention your age. Although employers aren’t legally allowed to dismiss your application based solely on how old you are, you’ll never know if that’s the reason they rejected you, so it’s best to avoid mentioning these types of details.
- Do not Include negative information.
If you are thinking of putting on your CV reasons why you left your previous positions, or perhaps that you have driving licence points or that you failed exams – forget it now. This is something you can explain in a job interview, so make sure you don’t include any negative information that would discredit you.
Once you have completed your CV, don’t forgot to read through and double check, use spell check to correct any spelling mistakes and ask a friend or family member to look it over.
If you are struggling to write you CV there are services out there which can assist, most known job sites have a free CV builder tool or the national career services can assist for free.
