IS YOUR CV FIT TO COMPETE?

Your CV is the tool you will use to promote yourself to a potential employer. It’s more than just a list of your jobs and qualifications. Remember: you won’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So take the time to craft a CV that is professional, effective and memorable.

This short guide will give you some pointers for writing a standout CV, whether you’re looking for your first job or a new employment challenge.

First up – a strong personal summary 

Set the tone from the outset. Below your name, write three to four convincing sentences that reflect your personality. Include your career aspirations and experience so the reader views you as a serious candidate. Keep it professional and aim to inspire the person reading it. 

Skills vs work experience

The first section should summarise your experience; this usually goes before your qualifications. Whoever is reading your CV will need to see very quickly how your credentials match the role you are applying for. Your most recent experience should come first. Remember, experience isn’t always gained through employment. For example, if you were applying for a role in care then any experience you have had caring for your children, young siblings or elderly relatives would be considered highly relevant.

If you are submitting a skills-based CV rather than one based on relevant previous employment, the sub-title for this section should be ‘Skills’. In this case, focus on your transferable skills, e.g., demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving, or communication skills, as appropriate. 

Keep it relevant

Keep to the point. This includes considering whether to include your qualifications. It isn’t always necessary to list all your qualifications. If your qualifications were a long time ago or aren’t requested by the hiring firm, you can skip including them. This may become more crucial when space is tight.

What you can do is highlight certifications or additional training that will grab the employer’s attention. This could be a professional qualification in project management, language skills or other training course linked to the role.

And remember, your date of birth has no place on a CV in 2024.

Tailor for each role 

Customisation is crucial. 

Hiring managers can use clever software called ATS (applicant tracking systems) to scan your document. The ATS will prioritise CVs that reflect the requirements laid out in the job description. Be wary of using artificial intelligence to write your CV, as this can also be detected.

Always read the job description properly first. Pick out the experience, skills, and knowledge the employer is looking for. Then align your CV, clearly demonstrating how your background satisfies the requirements. Some people even include a little grid or table: the job requirement in the first column and the matching experience in the second column.

Maybe you lack professional paid-for experience? Tap into the transferable skills you have gained from hobbies, volunteering or even personal experiences. 

What about digital assets and links?

If you are applying for a creative role, think about putting together an online portfolio with links to all the examples of your creative work. Include a link to this on your CV. This is pretty much essential for creative roles. There is even a trend to produce a short video CV. 

Use these digital assets to complement your CV, not to replace it. Many companies have rigid recruitment regulations and won’t consider anything supplementary to a CV. So don’t presume a video will be watched; on the other hand, some advertised roles specifically ask for a video.

You can include relevant LinkedIn or social profiles just in case the employer researches candidates online, and many do! A word of warning though: make sure your social profiles are suitable for professional eyes!

Formatting done right 

Choose a professional, clean-looking design. One page is great, but two pages are acceptable for more senior roles or those with extensive experience. A few guidelines:

• Select a professional font such as Arial, Times New Roman or Verdana. Nothing too fancy.
• Be very careful to keep headers, dates and spacing consistent
• If you aren’t proficient in laying out a document, check out the ready-made CV templates that come with software like Word

A well-put-together CV will make your key details stand out; it will also show you can communicate efficiently.

Make it measurable and action-oriented

Statistics catch the eye. If you have some work experience and are applying for a performance-related job, showcase measurable results from previous roles. You will demonstrate the value you bring by doing this. So, the kind of numbers to include might be how much revenue you generated, how much money you saved your employer, or even how you steered a reduction in staff or customer turnover.

Numbers don’t have to come from previous jobs. You can quantify achievements from hobbies, school or college projects and community activities.

Think about the language you use. Strong action verbs include ‘achieved’, ‘streamlined’ or ‘orchestrated’. Brainstorm your list before you write your CV!

Final touches

Your CV should convey competence and enthusiasm. Avoid clichés like ‘hardworking’ and ‘team player’. Instead, show these traits through achievements and specific examples.

Finally, don’t lose credibility with an unprofessional email address. Leave ‘[email protected]’ in the past. Use as straightforward a format as you can that includes your actual name. If you’re still using a school or college email, switch to a personal one you’ll have permanent access to. 

Including your physical address isn’t always necessary, especially for remote roles. Instead, provide up-to-date LinkedIn details or other relevant platforms where employers can verify your expertise.

Take the time to proofread for spelling and grammar more than once, and ask someone else to check it over. A single typo can undermine your professionalism. Share your CV with a trusted colleague or mentor for feedback. If you want to go the extra mile, enlist the help of a career coach or CV expert. 

With a polished, tailored CV, you’ll not only compete, you’ll stand out!