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CV Tips :
When you are writing a CV, you are communicating with someone who you have probably never met. Its important to try and make this first impression count. Quick wins as you write your CV are easy, and its not hard to make a good CV. Follow our top CV tips to make your job hunting successful! Good luck with writing your CV.
1) Your Curriculum Vitae will not get you a job.
The best you can hope for is that the company you are applying to will look at your Curriculum Vitae and offer you an interview. When creating your Curriculum Vitae, its worth bearing in mind that the person looking at it will be considering inviting you for for an interview. Don't give them so much information that they can easily dismiss your application. Concentrate on positive statements and your achievements, however small they may appear to you.
2) On our Curriculum Vitaes we do not have a section for hobbies & interests.
It doesn't matter if you like hang gliding or are a committed pagan, they are unlikely to be relevant to the job. They can only serve to be taking up valuable space at best. At worst, they can serve to get your application rejected.
3) Pictures.
Unless you are applying to be a model, what you look like should not make any difference. Most Curriculum Vitaes will be printed out by the companies so they can sort through them and make notes. Have you seen your photo printed out on a mono laser printer? Everyone looks like a photofit from Crimewatch. Attaching photographs, unless specifically requested, will again hinder the companies who are sorting through the application.
4) Keep it simple.
Your Curriculum Vitae should be to the point. Don't think of it as an exercise in your literary prowess, just concentrate on getting the spelling right! There is no ideal minimum, but if it stretches to more than 3 pages, consider reducing some of the items in length, but never miss out anything.
5) Work the system.
Many agencies use software to search through Curriculum Vitaes for key words. Our Curriculum Vitae system makes best use of this. Remember to always use keywords in your descriptions too.
Start your Curriculum Vitae now
6) Tailor your Curriculum Vitae for different jobs.
Check the job description and move the emphasis on your Curriculum Vitae to match the requirements. This doesn't mean lie, it's simply a method of getting your Curriculum Vitae to work for you. For example a driving job may ask for good knowledge of London. If you have this knowledge, make sure it's in your skills list and appears in the description of each job where it was used. This will really improve your chances of getting that interview.
7) Print quality.
Paper choice is important, make sure is bright white and A4. If you can get it printed out on a laser printer, even better. Make sure it goes out clean and if at all possible, unfolded. If you do not have access to a decent printer and paper, we can do it for you. Look for the upgrade option when you login and write your CV.
8) Covering letter.
Some companies request a covering letter in you own handwriting. If your handwriting is bad, don't get someone else to do it. Simply keep it very brief and to the point. Ensure that it looks neat & tidy and is readable. Get someone else to check it for spelling too.
9) Don't leave gaps.
Missing years in your history will be viewed with suspicion. The recipient will have visions of years at Her Majestys pleasure at worst. At best, they will think of a string of failed jobs which you are trying to hide. Remember to always tell the truth.
10) Always keep your Curriculum Vitae up to date.
Through the course of a year at work, you will experience new things, and probably go through some training both formal and informal. It's easy to spend an hour a month keeping your Curriculum Vitae updated, rather than try to remember what training you did one day three years ago. Remember, CV writing is easier when you are adding to an existing CV rather than starting from scratch.
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