There is a huge amount of advice available on
how to write the perfect CV. Much of this
information is conflicting and can be confusing.
However, some aspects of CV writing will never
change and we have compiled the top ten tips
for writing a comprehensive, interview winning
CV.
Prepare - spend quality time evaluating the skills
and qualifications that the job advert is asking
for and ensure you match them. If not there is
really no need to apply as you are more than
likely to be unsuccessful. In certain
circumstances it is much more effective to send
out 10 directed CVs rather than 1000 general
CVs.
Content - prior to making a start on the CV,
make a detailed list of the skills and unique
experiences you have had in your career history ,
personal life, education etc. Try and ensure you
list dates of achievements and ideally figures /
examples of excellence.
What information to include - there is certain
information that must be included (you would be
amazed by the amount of CVs we read at CVpal
that do not have contact telephone numbers etc
on them!). Include your name, address, telephone
numbers (mobile and home), email address
(ensure it isn't a strange address i.e. think how
the employer will envisage you if your email is
smellypants@).
Additional Information to include - some good
information to include in the CV could be
voluntary work completed, charity fund raising,
language skills, sport achievements and
interests.
Design - this is a vital part of the CV; you can
have the most fabulously content rich CV
however if it looks dull or messy it will ruin the
impact. Your CV has around 2 minutes to
achieve an interview for you before the employer
loses interest. Therefore grab their attention,
think of ways to section the CV into clear areas,
for example Personal Profile, Skills and Expertise,
Education and Qualifications, Career History and
Interests / Other Information. Try various options
and do look at including colour, however only for
titles
Advice -once you have put together your first
format of your new CV it is vital to get someone
else to read it to check for spelling mistakes,
grammatical errors and to ensure it emphasises
your skills and personality
Market the CV correctly - once you are happy
with the format and wording of your CV you need
to ensure that you market it in the places
employers will see it. Register on the top 10
online job sites, scan local press and finally a
great way to gain interviews is to hand deliver
the CV to companies that you have identified as
employers you would like to work for.
Make changes - you should always make
changes to your CV dependent on the jobs you
are applying for. It should be a "working
document." It is worth having a CV that can be
generic for placing on job sites but do look at
making changes to emphasis skills that have
been highlighted as essential in job
specifications and adverts.
Ask for feedback - if you have sent your CV to
lots of jobs and not heard anything back from
the potential employers or you have not received
any interviews there is nothing wrong with
telephoning the employer and asking (politely)
why you weren't successful.
Ask a professional - sometimes we all have to
realise that our skills and expertise could be in
differing areas. Therefore asking a professional
to write your CV for you could be one of the
most cost effective and time effective things you
could do. Ensure if you choose this method that
you are happy with the service and trust the
writer.
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