CV Writing Tips and Advice

Writing a CV always takes care. This is the case whether you are starting from scratch or updating your details.

Checklist on what to include in a CV

1.        such as name, address, mobile number and email address. If relevant, also include your LinkedIn profile or blog site where employers can find out more about you.

2.        Objective - in 1 or 2 sentences, summarise and emphasise your key attributes and your intended future career path. Your words must flow seamlessly – avoiding cliché and superfluous hyperbole.

3.        Employment History & Work Experience are placed before Education if you have been working for a while. Start with your most recent job, detailing your experience concisely in bullet points.

4.        Education & Training - start with your most recent qualifications and work back to the ones you received at school.

5.        Language proficiency - if you speak more than 1 language, this element distinguishes your CV if you are applying for a job at an international company.

6.        Achievements - include your academic/professional achievements to distinguish yourself from other candidates.

7.        Interests - include this if relevant to the soft skills needed for the job.

8.        References - name two people (not relatives), along with their email address and phone number, who may be contacted by the employer for a reference.

 How should I write the CV?

 There is plenty of CV advice available, but you can follow these key tips to help you brush up on your skills right now:

1.        Stand out. Your CV should demonstrate your unique blend of skills and experience. Make sure you include examples of commercial success, problem resolution or management achievements.

2.        Keep it simple. Your choice of font and layout are key to making sure a would-be employer carries on reading your CV. Simple formats work best.

3.        Don‘t be generic. Work out who or which industry sector your CV is destined for and tailor it to highlight the right aspects of your experience for them.

4.        Check and check again. Avoid errors at all costs. This means spelling mistakes, dates which conflict with one another and incorrect email address and phone number.

5.        Update. Firing off an old CV will look unprofessional, so make sure that yours is regularly updated to meet the requirements of any jobs you see advertised.

6.        Use a template. By following a CV template you are not restricting the way in which you can express yourself, but you will find that your CV becomes easier to read and covers all the most important aspects of your work history.

 By using these tips, your CV will create the right impression and help yours get to the top of the pile with the result that you are much more likely to be called for an interview.