• CV Writing Guidelines

      First impressions count and so one of the most important things is to make your CV stand out by making it clear and easy to read.  

      There is no standard layout for a 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 – sometimes less is more.
         
      • Use bullet points instead of paragraphs and keep sentences short and precise.
         
      • Use larger fonts and bold type for headings keeping underlining to a minimum. 
         
      • Try to stick to 2 or 3 pages.
         
      • Avoid unusual and strange fonts, layouts, and designs. 
         

      Content

      • Tell the truth! Highlight the good and avoid the bad.
         
      • Stick to the point - don’t waffle on about intricate technical detail unless necessary.
         
      • Start with a short profile – tell them about you, what makes you tick, outline major skills and experience, your strengths and abilities, your career aspirations.
         
      • Write your work experience in reverse chronological order (so your most recent experience at the top) stating company name, your job title, and the dates of employment.
         
      • Keep irrelevant job details to a minimum and explain any large gaps such as when you went travelling.
         
      • Tell them about your responsibilities and most importantly your achievements e.g. increased productivity by 30%, reduced customer complaints by 15% and so on.
         
      • Be positive and avoid negative details.
         
      • Include your education and relevant qualifications, training, and awards.
         
      • Other things such as languages, computer skills, and membership of relevant clubs and societies can add good detail.
         
      • Interest and hobbies can provide a good talking point in an interview but rarely gives you an advantage over other candidates, so put this last if you have space.
         
      • Employers will be looking for motivated people who can effectively communicate with others, work under pressure, and use their initiative so soft skills which can show how you will fit into the team are things worth detailing.
         

      Review

      • Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct and ideally get someone else to read your CV too to ensure it makes sense.
         
      • Try and tailor your CV according to the role that you’re applying for - highlight and emphasise your relevant skills, education, and experience for the role.
         
      • You may be asked for references so have 2 or 3 ready, but avoid detailing them on your CV – just put “References available on request”.
         
      • Contact details should include email, phone number and location – your full address is not necessary.
         

      Example Food Industry CVs

      See our example CV’s page that you might find useful but remember, there is no standard format. Just make it clear, concise, and easy to read with all the relevant details and no waffle!

      View Example Food Industry CVs
       

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