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Before you begin writing your CV, it is important to contemplate the recruiting process of your potential employer. Obviously, every vacancy within every company is unique so your CV should be custom-written for each position you apply for, rather than recycling it time and time again. Sometimes it will be a case of exchanging a couple of words but on other occasions you will need to alter the structure so, for example, there is more emphasis on your qualifications than your work experience. Explain any gaps in your education or employment but keep it brief.
The person receiving CVs and making the first decisions will vary; at times CVs will go directly to the person who will be your direct boss who knows exactly what they are searching for or the first contact could be a human resources member of staff who may not be particularly familiar with the role. However, they will always want a straightforward and faultless CV that shows your attention to detail.
You must consider…
- Your CV could be one of hundreds.
- The recruiter will often be under immense time pressures and working to tight deadlines.
- The first decision on your application will be made by only scan reading your CV, initially searching for just a few keywords.
- Reading hundreds of applications is tedious so CVs that are difficult to read, understand or have a complex format will be discarded.
- The presentation of your CV will reflect on you & the work they can expect from you if you are successful in your application. Spell checking is imperative. Hiding the most relevant information by not presenting it simply and coherently and submitting documents with mistakes will reflect negatively on you. Conversely, well-thought out presentation will stand out over other CVs, convey you possess more skills than just what is listed and generally give a positive impression.
Your CV must be brief and concise and should include…
- Name and all contact details.
- A short sentence describing your professional self with bullet points emphasising your main attributes.
- Employment history; most recent first, company details, position held, responsibilities and achievements.
- Education; in chronological order and highlight any awards or training relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Skills and awards; languages, computer proficiency, driving, health and safety awards etc.
- Some people like to add interests or hobbies at the end but this is only advisable if you participate in something unusual or it is a big part of your life. ‘Socialising’, ‘reading’ and ‘going to the cinema’ won’t tell the employer anything significant about you so refrain from adding unnecessary information.
Example
Use a clear font, space lines apart evenly and highlight or underline headings or elements you want to stand out. Do not clutter the page with boxes or graphics and do not use lots of colour. Note where the page breaks are and that the text flows. Try to keep it to no more than two pages as recruiters feel reading overly long CVs is a chore. For example, the more work experience you have, the less relevant your first couple of jobs may be.
| Name & address: |
Number/name, street, town, county, postcode |
| Phone number: |
Mobile/home number |
| Email: |
e.g. Yahoo/Hotmail etc, not current work address |
Short sentence describing your professional personality and significant experience.
- Insert
- relevant
- professional
- attributes or
- characteristics
Work experience:
- Name of company; start date – end date, job title and department.
Short sentence describing company.
Responsibilities.
Achievements.
- Name of company; start date – end date, job title and department.
Short sentence describing company.
Responsibilities.
Achievements.
Qualifications:
- Date awarded; level, grade, title of course, institution, town.
- Date awarded; level, grade, title of course, institution, town.
- Date awarded; level, grade, title of course, institution, town.
Skills and awards:
- Computer, language, driving, health and safety and any other relevant skills or awards.
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Interview techniques
- Be prepared and consider possible questions you might be asked or could ask but do not over-rehearse as you will get confused and sound unnatural if questions are phrased differently to how you are expecting. An interviewer will be more enthusiastic about someone that can think on their feet rather than someone who can churn out standard and well-practiced answers. Read up on the company and research the position. Most companies have websites or promotional literature they will be willing to send you.
- Dress appropriately, ensure you know exactly how to get there and have telephone numbers with you in case you are delayed. Always overestimate your journey time.
- Be direct and try not to stray from the pertinent issues. You need to highlight your strengths and accomplishments in your current or previous job rather than dwelling on your responsibilities. Be proud of your achievements – discussing them is a sign of confidence and ambition, which are positive attributes.
- If something is unclear, ask for clarification. It is more professional to make sure you understand all the facts and what is being asked of you before you give an answer and interviewers will be more receptive to someone who can freely request assistance, even at this early stage. Likewise, it is acceptable to ensure the interviewer understands your answers or that you have answered their question effectively.
- Be positive at all times. Even if you feel strongly about your current or previous employer, do not speak negatively of them. Explain diplomatically why you are looking for a new challenge.
- There will be a chance at the end of the interview to ask questions and finding out how they feel you have performed is a good way of closing it. Ask them if they have any reservations and, if they do and you cannot answer them immediately, say you will consider their comments and let them know. Do not be offended as the candidate who fills all the criteria for a job is very rare. Ask what the process is from now on; how many applicants they are interviewing, if there will be psychometric tests, etc. The company will not mind a phone call or email a few days afterwards if you think of any significant issues or questions or want to check on your progress.
- Finally, smile and shake hands firmly. It is normal to feel nervous; the interviewer might be as well. Making eye contact will help you appear more confident as well as friendlier. You have got as far as the interview stage because the employer is interested in you so remember the company is trying to make a good impression on you as well as you on them.
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