How to write a CV
A CV is probably one of the most important documents you will ever write. Its purpose is to offer employers a snapshot of you. It is usually the first thing they will see before they decide whether to invite you for an interview (or not). It is therefore essential that your CV stands out and that it is clear, concise, well presented and error free.
- It is believed that a potential employer may make a decision about whether to read your CV within about 30 seconds of first setting eyes upon it – this means your CV is initially judged purely on appearance.
To ensure that your CV passes the 30 second test, and gets read, ensure that you keep it as concise as possible – too long could lose the reader’s interest. Two pages is generally an acceptable length. Lay out the information using clear section headings to make it easier for the reader to navigate down the page and use bullet points to describe things like skills, duties and achievements, to ensure clarity and avoid solid blocks of text which can be quite hard on the eye.
- Generally, the format of a CV is up to the individual, as long as it is easily understood. However, content is relatively standard from one CV to the next: personal details, profile/summary, educational details, work history, leisure interests, additional information, references. The amount of space you allocate to these areas in your CV suggests the importance you want employers to attach to them.
- Your personal profile is the section that normally appears first on a CV. This paragraph is very important and it gives you the chance to provide the employer with details about yourself that do not appear in any other part of the document. It should provide a quick summary of who you are. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and describe what you have to offer the employer in terms of personal skills and attributes.
- Explaining about your work history is quite difficult. Concentrate on providing just enough information for the reader to gain an accurate picture of your role. Many people have a tendency to go into complicated wordy detail about their previous responsibilities, but this should be avoided - simple and straightforward explanations will suffice and are easier to read.
Always try to be specific about what you have done (managed two staff, responsible for a budget of, completed a project about, used WordPerfect, Lotus and Quark Express). Vague generalities do little to sell your skills to employers. Where possible, use positive action words to describe your work duties (action words draw a visual picture to the reader of a hard working, dynamic individual).
- Although leisure interests are not as important as the main body of your CV, they do provide an employer with some insight into what you are like out of work. Often employers use this section to assess your personal qualities, so remember not to overlook it.
- References always appear last on the CV and can be dealt with by ‘available on request’ rather than listing individual contact details.
- When you have completed your CV, don’t forget the all-important spell check and proofreading. Lack of accuracy in grammar and spelling are the biggest causes of CV failure – so it’s a good idea to get a second opinion.
You will find that if you try to adhere to these basic rules when compiling your CV, you should be well on your way to gaining that all important interview.
Peter Panayotou is a CV expert from The Write Stuff (www.thewritestuff.co.uk). The Write Stuff offers CV guidance and advice to graduates, jobseekers and those changing careers, covering all levels and all industry sectors. The Write Stuff also provides assistance with every aspect of the job search process, including writing cover letters and personal statements, completing application forms, psychometric testing and interview coaching.
