| Getting the right job can very often be frustrating so you need to give yourself every opportunity possible! One of the things that can make or break the situation is to get an effective CV together. The average employer probably spends only a few seconds reading a CV before binning it - however, if they find it attractive and interesting they might give it more thought. There is no such thing as a perfect CV but we’ve put together some points below to help you:
STYLE
Don’t think you’ve got to cram in as much as possible to fill the space - white space, wide margins and double spacing can help.
Use bullet points instead of paragraphs where possible and keep sentences short.
Use larger fonts and bold type for headings keeping underlining to a minimum.
Don’t use fancy coloured paper.
Try to stick to two pages, any more and it becomes War and Peace- keep it short and simple.
Avoid weird and wonderful fonts, photographs and CV templates- it might make your CV stand out but not for the right reasons.
CONTENT
Tell the truth! It’s important to highlight the good things and avoid the bad. Lying will always be uncovered and may end in the sack or being sued.
Stick to the point. Try to tailor your CV to each individual job expanding on the relevant parts and minimising the others.
Try not to state the obvious - e.g. if you’re a Sales Executive then don’t say that your job involves selling! They know that from the job title!
Tell them instead what your achievements and responsibilities were- e.g. increased sales by 30%, dealt with all the national accounts etc.
Include a 2-3 sentence section at the start of the CV entitled “Profile”. Here tell them about the person, what makes you tick, outline major skills and experience etc. Basically give them an over-view of your character, strengths and abilities. You can also include in here you career aspirations.
Avoid humour, negative things, reasons for leaving, salary details and trade union membership or political affiliations.
Include qualifications (except poor grades), training, awards, prizes, languages, computer skills, membership of relevant clubs and societies together with any other skills you feel are relevant to the employer.Interest and hobbies can provide a good talking point at an interview but rarely gives you an advantage over other candidates.
References should be left off CV’s other than to say that they are ‘available on request’.
Do a ‘spell check’ and get someone else to read your CV.
Jobs that you did over 20 years ago probably aren’t that relevant anymore- keep them brief!
Good things to mention include communicating with other people, working under pressure to deadlines, being prepared to do the extra things that make a difference, entrepreneurial skills, leadership, team working etc.
COVERING LETTER
An often under-estimated tool that needs to be of the same standard as the CV itself. It should be typed (unless otherwise stated in an advertisement) and include:
Your contact details - name, address, telephone numbers, email etc.
The date.
The name, position and address of who you are writing to.
What you are looking/applying for.
Why you think you would be good for the role in particular and what you can bring to the company - especially things that others might not be bale to.
Remember - first impressions count!
Make your CV stand out from the pack.
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