In today’s competitive market place, employers received numerous applicants for one position, it is therefore essential to make your CV stand out.
Spend time perfecting its content and layout as you’ve got one chance to make a good first impression. Leading UK employers are receiving an average of 85 applications per job.
A basic CV should include Personal details; Education and Qualification and Employment History. Your CV should prove you’re the best person for the role, or at least a first interview. To help you on your way, here are our top five CV writing tips:
1. Check for Typos
We can’t stress this enough. Poor spelling is a pet hate of most recruiters. Make sure you spell check each time you amend the documents and also ask a friend to proof the final version of your CV.
2. Read the Job Description
Make sure you know all the role’s requirements. If you’re happy it’s suitable, use those requirements to mould your CV and show you’re a good fit for the role. HR will always screen and select candidates based on meeting the essential criteria section.
3. Tailor your CV for the Role
Avoid falling into the one CV fits all category. Instead target the document for the role you’re going for. Do some research so you understand what employers are looking for and apply this knowledge to make sure you get to interview. It’s often useful if possible to speak to a present or former employee to gain an understanding of the company culture of the Organisation. Some companies may be more impressed with certain skills than others.
4. Use Specific Keywords
It’s important to try and include the terms which describe you and relate to the kinds of position you’re looking for in your CV. Highlight these key skills in the job description and ensure your have demonstrated them throughout your CV. A skills and achievement section after the profile will summarise these points and make it easier for the Employer to see at first hand.
5. Apply Pro-Active Descriptions
When describing previous experience and responsibilities, it’s a good idea to use the STAR model as a useful way of communicating key points clearly and concisely within the job details section of your CV. Once you’ve identified the ‘situation’, ‘task’, ‘action’ and ‘result’, formulate this into a short key point, making sure to include how you achieved the result, and how your actions addressed the initial situation and task.
6. Adding a Cover Letter:
- Convince you are worth interviewing
- Clean and neat
- Check the spelling
- Address and date at top RHS of page
- Employers name and address and top LHS
- Begin and end letter correctly ‘Dear Sir’
- Sign your name, print it underneath
- Begin intro explaining why you are writing
- Next, briefly summarise your skills and experience
- Enclose copy of CV
- Read the letter when finished, to check details
- Keep a copy to re-read before interview