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CV Writing Tips

Having a well written and compelling CV is an essential tool in your job search as it is the first thing a prospective employer will see. Think of your CV as a marketing tool, promoting yourself and listing the benefits an employer will gain from employing you. Make sure these benefits are clear, concise, and easy for the employer to find and read.

Tailor your CV to the particular job you are applying for. Ask yourself, 'If I was the employer, would I want to interview me? Does my CV stand out from the crowd?'

There is no set way to lay out your CV, or rules around what to include, but below are some suggestions.

Layout

The basic rule for layouts is to keep it brief and simple.

  • Use a font that most computers will have such as Times New Roman or Arial.
  • Save your CV as a pdf, this guarantees your format will not change.
  • You can also match your layout to the job you are applying for - i.e. if you are applying for a job as a designer, it may be a good idea to include some design elements in your layout.
  • Use bullet points to help break up large amounts of text and highlight key achievements.
  • Avoid using emotive language and keep your sentences concise.

Spelling and Grammar

Make sure that you have checked the grammar and spelling on your CV. It is a good idea to get someone else look over it to ensure that it makes sense, and reads well.

Customising your CV

It is a good idea to tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. In some cases, this can be as easy as changing out a few sentences. Emphasise the skills you have that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Research the company and industry and state how you can be of assistance to them.

Sell your strengths and benefits first

Give the employer an overview of the benefits of hiring you up front. This will draw them in and make them want to read the rest of your CV.

Sections to Include

Contact details

Make sure your contact details are correct, and easy to find. Include your name, address, telephone number, mobile and email. It is a good idea to include your name and mobile on the footer of each page in case your CV gets separated.

Ensure your answer phone messages and email addresses look and sound professional. This is no time to have joke answer machine messages on your mobile phone.

You are not legally obliged to include your date of birth, number of dependants or marital status, but if you think listing them would be an advantage to you (i.e. having 2 children may be an advantage to someone applying to become a nanny) then include them.

Your career

Outline your career first to give the employer an overview of what to expect. Use a couple of sentences to outline some of your achievements and key responsibilities.

Follow this up with your career history. List all your employment in chronological order, starting with the most recent first. Be prepared to explain gaps in your career history if required. List your achievements in each role, and back them up with figures where you can.

Education and Training

List your qualifications starting with the most recent achievements. You can include as much information as you like, working right back to secondary school if you feel this is appropriate. You can also use this section to list all the skills you have gained. This may be IT packages, foreign languages or specific industry skills.

Professional Memberships

Include all professional bodies of which you are a member and include your involvement with that organisation.

Referees

List the names and contact details of referees. If you have written references provide copies of these at the interview. Make sure that you inform your referees about the role you are applying for so that they can be prepared when they are called.

Things to avoid

Below are some things to look out for and avoid, when writing your CV.

  • Don't highlight irrelevant skills or achievements.
  • Keep it professional - don't focus on details of your private life.
  • Always spell check manually as a double check.
  • Keep your CV concise - 2-4 pages long.
  • Be honest - exaggerating the truth is bound to catch up with you.
  • Be succinct - if you can say the same thing in 5 words, do not use 20.
  • Do not use vague language, be specific and back it up with details relative to you and the company and role you are applying for and the relevant industry.

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