Prepared by V&J Associates - Professional CV Writers
A CV is not just a list of your jobs and qualifications; it’s a sales document and, in just two pages, you need to make it clear why the reader should employ you over your competition. Put yourself in the reader's shoes; they may receive up to 50 CVs for any one job and many of these CVs will look the same and will have similar experiences. It is therefore crucial to add something a little different and, by following these simple rules, you will give yourself a much better chance of getting the job you really want.
Rule 1: Good Layout / Presentation
An employer will spend only 30 seconds on your CV, so presentation is the key to grabbing their attention. The CV needs to be typed and the most effective fonts are Arial, Tahoma, Times New Roman and Verdana (size 10-12). Separate the information into clear sections with headings and ensure the information is evenly spaced out.
Another important thing to remember is spelling and grammar and this is one of the main reasons why CVs are rejected. Even though your job may never involve putting pen to paper, a CV littered with mistakes suggests a lack of attention to detail and a haphazard approach; not ideal traits in a new employee. Get the CV checked by a friend or tutor and read it again and again before you send it.
Rule 2: Clear And Visible Contact Details
Sounds simple, but if the reader has trouble locating your telephone number, this could be the difference between getting an interview or ending up in the bin! Put all contact details at the top of the CV including a full postal address, home telephone number, mobile number and an email address (if applicable).
Rule 3: A Solid Profile
Always start the CV with a profile. This should be just a few lines highlighting your main selling points and explaining how you match the employer’s requirements. This can be experiences from college, work or your personal life but these few lines will be the first the employer reads, so you need to grab their attention and invite them to read on. Here’s an example:
“As a highly motivated and committed individual I have both theoretical and practical experience within the Plumbing Industry, through college studies and work placements. I combine this direct experience with the ability to work with a wide range of people and have held a number of part time customer service roles, demonstrating the ability to provide excellent customer service. I am now looking to apply these skills to a successful plumbing career.”
Rule 4: Highlight Your Education
The order of information in a CV depends on where your main skills lie and the most relevant information needs to be at the top. As a college leaver, this is always going to be your education, which will include practical plumbing experiences. List all qualifications, the school or college attended and the years that you started and finished each course. Put them in reverse order, with the most recent at the top, and include any other training you may have had e.g. IT training, Health and Safety, First Aid.
This section should also include any awards, scholarships or positions of responsibility you have held at college or at school.
Rule 5: Don't Just List Your Jobs
Following your education, should be your work experience. This should include any part time, Saturday or voluntary work. Again it needs to be in reverse order with your most current job at the top and you need to include your job title, the company name and your start and leave dates for each role.
When writing this section, think about what skills the reader will be looking for and try to highlight examples of when you have shown these specific skills. Explain your duties in each role, but try to explain them in terms of the skills you have demonstrated.
The work experience section should also include any achievements you have had in the workplace. Achievements are the key to making you stand out, so include absolutely anything which shows you did your job well.
Rule 6: Finish The CV With An Additional Information Section
This section includes all other information which does not fit in previous sections. Typical information to include is:
Personal Information: This is usually your nationality and whether you have a driving licence. There is no longer any need to include your marital status or your NI number.
IT Skills: List your IT skills including all software that you can use.
Languages: If you speak any other languages, you should include it here.
Interests: List your interests, highlighting anything that will put you in a good light including membership of any clubs, either in or out of college.
Voluntary / Charity Work: This will always go down well, so include any voluntary work you may have done.
References: There is no need to include references on a CV, as these will always be asked for once a job has been offered. Just add one line to say that references are available on request, which shows you have nothing to hide.
By following these simple rules, keeping the CV short (2 pages maximum) and highlighting your unique selling points, you are well on the way to getting that job.
For more information on CV writing please contact V&J Associates; Professional CV Writers.
