How to write a CV

Many people make the mistake of underestimating the importance of a good CV.  Although this alone won’t get you a job, a bad CV can certainly cost you a job.  As the first opportunity you have to capture your potential employer’s attention  and make a good impression, the effort you put into this document can determine  your future.

A top quality CV that highlights your skills, qualifications, expertise,  accomplishments and what you can bring to a company provides you with an  opportunity to promote yourself to your prospective employer and prove that you  are unequivocally right for the job.

In order to make your CV as appealing as possible make sure that you are  concise and accurate. Generally it should not be any longer than two pages and  it should be specifically tailored to the job you are applying for and include  the experience that is most suited to the position.

How to write a CV:

Personal Details – It sounds basic but information such  as your name, address, telephone number and email address are easily missed out  and can be costly. Although it’s not obligatory, many people like to add their  nationality and gender.

Synopsis – Again, this is optional but including a brief  summary of your skills and expertise can be a very effective tool. Keep this  brief and to the point and make sure you express your enthusiasm towards the  specific role you are applying to.

Key Skills – Bullet point any skills you have which are  related to the job so that anyone briefly skimming through your CV can easily  identify them.

Employment History – Place all your work experience in  chronological order, starting with the most recent first. Include the name of  your employer, your job title, the dates you worked there, the responsibilities  you had and any achievements you made when there. Using examples to highlight  your achievements are a great way to impress. For example, ‘in my time at xx  company I increased cash flow by £5 million by consolidating credit analysis  function, reducing outstanding receivables from 40 to 15 days and minimising  risk from marginal customers. ‘

Education – In chronological order, write the school,  college and university you attended along with the subjects you studied and the  grades you obtained. As well as this, include any additional qualifications you  have attained such as training courses you have attended and professional  qualifications you have acquired.

Interests – Including your interests is not mandatory but  it can help potential employers to gain a better insight into who you are and  what your personality is like. Keep it brief and professional and make sure your  interests portray you in a good light.

Employees can receive hundreds of CVs for any single job they advertise which  is why it’s so important to create a CV that will capture their attention. A  surprising amount of people do not know how to write a CV so if you put the time  and effort into this you will stand out from the vast majority of applicants and  increase your chances of getting your foot in the door.