How to Write a CV!
Although every CV should be different and there is no one-size-fits-all, there are a few things that every CV should include:
Your Personal Details:
Make sure your name, address, email address and telephone number is clearly presented at the top of your CV. You may not think so, but a lot of people do forget this!
A Personal Statement:
This should be the first thing shown at the top of your CV and therefore, it should be the part that stands out the most to a potential employer. A personal statement should explain a little bit about who you are, what you are looking for and what kind of skills you have to offer. The aim of a personal statement is to show a potential employer why you are best suited for their role, within one small paragraph.
Education:
Starting with your most recent education, list the types of qualifications, the grade you achieved and the date of completion. If you have more educational achievements than work experience, make sure you emphasise on these…
Work Experience:
Starting with your most recent job, list all of your relevant work experience. You should include the company name, your job title while at that company, how long you worked there for and list of key responsibilities you held.
Skills & Achievements:
List skills and achievements that will show a potential employer why you would make a suitable candidate for their role. Back your skills and achievements up with examples and link them to how you would apply these to a new role.
Hobbies and Interests:
This isn’t essential in a CV, however, relevant hobbies and interests could back up your skills and help you stand out from others.
Cooper Golding General CV Tips:
Keep your CV within two pages of A4. You can be clever with margins, but anything longer and the employer is unlikely to read it. There is no required format, so don't worry if your CV looks different from others you've seen. If anything, it will help you to make a unique impression! New formats such as infographic CVs are becoming more popular in design industries.
- Keep sentences and paragraphs short and snappy, and avoid being vague.
- Use keywords to emphasise your points and do not use the same words over and over again.
- Highlight key skills and examples throughout, and keep them up to date.
- Stay clear of coloured or funky fonts, keep everything consistent and easy to read.
- Back up skills with relevant experiences - and vice-versa.
- Always proofread and spell check the document before sending it off. If possible, get a friend to check it for you too. There is nothing worse than a spelling or grammar mistake on a CV; it demonstrates carelessness and a lack of attention to detail.
- Check it before you send it anywhere.
If you find you need assistance with your CV then speak to a good HR professional or a recruitment agency like Cooper Golding who are experts and can assist you in getting everything correct! Get in touch today: 01271 349745 | admin@coopergolding.co.uk
