CV Building Advice

CV Top Tips

Your CV gives you the chance to show off all the qualities and skills that make you the perfect choice for employers. These top tips show you the key things you need to consider to make sure your CV shows you in the best light. Employers can receive hundreds of applications for each vacancy, so it’s important that you make your CV stand out.

Show what makes you unique

What are the reasons that an employer should hire you over other candidates? What skills and experience do you have that will meet their needs? Avoid being vague and using clichés. Give employers something specific that focuses on their company needs as well as your own. Sell yourself by demonstrating your experience or successes.

Have a clear layout

Employers aren’t looking for you to explain everything you’ve ever done and won’t have time to read 5 or 6 pages about your career history. Stick to 2 pages of A4 when compiling your CV. This is more than enough to persuade an employer to consider you for an interview. Keep your layout simple. If your CV is wall to wall text with different styles, fonts and sizes, it will turn employers off. Make all your sections stand out clearly and only include information that will help you get the job. Grab their attention with bullet points rather than long sentences. Less is often more!

Tailor it

Do not adopt a one size fits all approach when it comes to your CV. If you do, you will almost certainly end up with something which employers will ignore. Every employer is looking for a CV and covering letter that is specific to their role. Making the effort to tailor your CV to suit the requirements of each particular job that you are applying for can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview. It also helps to show that you understand what it is they want you to do. It is worth doing your homework on the company you are applying to. Have a look at their website and try to get an understanding of what the company is about.

Keep it error free

Poor writing skills shows a lack of care which no manager will want in their team. Never fully rely on the computer spell checker; ask someone to proof read your CV to spot any errors you may have missed. As well as checking spelling and grammar, make sure your employment dates match up and that you have provided the right telephone number and email address.

Keep it up to date

To avoid missing out key pieces of information, revisit your CV regularly, maybe every other month and add any significant achievements and remove information that no longer applies. There’s certain information your CV must include to give you the best possible shot at making it to interview stage. Download our CV checklist to make sure you have all the essential information included in your CV.