7 Steps to making your CV work for you

Magnifying glass and cvA great CV enables someone to understand your strengths, talents and experience in an easily accessible way to enable them to decide whether you are a good match for the role and their company. Simple? Then why do so many people get it wrong? Here are some tips to get yours up to scratch.

1.Make it easy to scan read

Present your CV in a concise and easy to read layout – a maximum of 3 pages unless you have a very long and complex career. Use different sizes to set out headings and subheadings and use these consistently. Include your name, address, phone numbers and email address. No need to include your date of birth. Some people include references – others leave these off until asked to supply – the latter is fine and stops companies contacting current employers before you know about it. Typical main headings are:

  • Profile
  • Career History
  • Education and other Skills
  • Interests

2. Start with a summary about you

The profile section is a chance to put over in summary your qualities, ambitions and experience. Written in the third person this should be honest and confident without bragging – when you read it back check that it reflects the real you. Include key words that are typical things that employers are looking for – this will depend on the type of jobs you are applying for and you can get an idea by reading adverts and job descriptions.

3. A full career history – no gaps

This section sets out chronologically in reverse order (most recent first) the companies you have worked for and jobs you have done. Include start and finish dates. Using the Employer as the main subheading helps if you’ve done more than one job at the same company, eg

Employer X

Job 2 – Jan 2013-Dec 2014

Job 1 – June 2012-Jan 2013

For each role, summarise the main responsibilities and your key contributions/achievements – how you made a difference – bullet points work well for this. Check for gaps – and explain any inconsistencies – eg November 2012- June 2013 – Career break travelling the world – visited X, Y, Z, learned to scuba dive and was able to use my language skills. Above all be truthful and factual.

4. Include any specific training and skills

The Education section, like the Career History, is usually presented in reverse chronological order – most recent first for formal education – therefore your highest formal qualifications would be the first thing (degree, masters, professional qualification). If you’re at an early stage of your career you can make more of specific achievements at school – eg awards for extra curricular activities, taking part in school productions, enterprise schemes, etc.

After the formal education, bullet point any other training and skills such as computer literacy, knowledge of Microsoft packages, First Aid qualified, 5-day leadership training course, driving licence, etc.

5. Check it and keep it up to date

Get someone else to read it who is objective and may more easily spot things you’ve missed.

Spelling and grammatical errors and style inconsistencies in headings and subheadings could mean you don’t get through the screening phase of application.

Ask yourself is there anything else you’ve done that you’re proud of or which has relevance in demonstrating your skills and qualities – you might do voluntary work or something in the community that demonstrates a wish to make a wider contribution.

Review each time you apply for a job in the knowledge of what they are looking for – the job spec may give you some clues to enhance your CV that you’d not previously thought about. However, the aim is to have something reasonably generic for the types of roles you are looking for – the tailoring comes in the accompanying email/letter/application form.

6. Always send a cover letter

An accompanying cover letter or email is the best way to tailor a standard CV to the particular job – enabling you to draw attention to particular aspects of your experience that match what is being looked for. You can write this in the first person (using “I”) and use examples. My tip is to go through the job description/advert/person specification and highlight what appear to be the essential and desirable characteristics of the person they are looking for. If this is a long list think about ways in which they can be grouped to enable you to tell your story about how you demonstrate these via a few examples. Make sure you cover everything. If you haven’t got the direct experience they are asking for then think laterally about your nearest equivalent which used similar skills and qualities.   Check whether the company has asked for any specific information not in your CV such as current salary.

Head the letter with the title and reference (if applicable) of the job you are applying for. Use the first paragraph to state your interest in the role and your broad beliefs about why you would be a good cultural fit for the company (research on their website is often a good way to find out about their vision, values and current activities).

7. Consider your social ‘CV’

Manage your personal ‘on line’ brand that is there whether you like it or not in the public domain via social media. What would a potential employer find about you when they Google your name? What impression would they get of you? Does your Linked In profile accurately represent your skills, qualities, educational and career history? Is it consistent with your CV? If you don’t have one then you may be missing out as Linked In is becoming a place where recruiters research for head hunting potential candidates.

  • Use a professional-style headshot with just you in it.
  • Use key words to summarise your experience, qualities and values.
  • Join relevant groups, post comments and write posts to share your expertise and position your interests
  • Request recommendations from previous employers/colleagues/clients
  • Develop your network

For more tips on job applications click here for my Dos and Don’ts article.

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Get in touch to find out more about coaching  

If you’re interested in developing your self awareness, communication or management skills, confidence, time management or just getting focus on your goals, do get in touch to discuss. I believe everyone has the potential to improve their performance, motivation and happiness – coaching works because you become accountable to an external person who is a source of encouragement and support – as well as challenging your barriers.

Email Zoë Whitby: zoe@zwcoaching.co.uk

Call on: 07919 201128

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