Nowadays, finding a job is incredibly competitive and an employer
can be given over a hundred Curriculum Vitae's, (more commonly known as a CV)
to go through in the hope of filling one position! To ensure your CV is given
the time it deserves, you need to make sure that it's up to scratch.
So, ask yourself...is your CV worth looking at? If the answer is
no, then worry not. We have come up with some top tips to help you write the perfect CV.
FFunctional VS
Quirky - you decide! Are
you applying for a design job? If so, then go crazy and make your CV
as creative as possible! If however, you are applying for a job that does not
involve any design work then your CV needs to be functional as opposed to
decorative. It needs to be consistent and uniformed. Employers will dance with
joy over a neat, clean and well typed CV.
FMake sure it's
relevant...do some research! Do you know what position you are applying for and
which company you are applying to? If not, it might be a good idea to do some
research and cater your CV to the company needs. If you are applying for
multiple jobs, make note of them. This way, you'll be able to keep track of
exactly which position and company each job is for. Make sure
all of your work experience is as relevant as possible and don't be afraid to
emphasize on areas of work you have already done that are of more relevance to
the job you are applying for.
FBe honest!
Employers WILL find out. Sooner
or later, you'll be in conversation with a colleague and it'll come up that
really you have never worked for Google or Sky or any of the companies on your
CV and the conversation that follows isn't going to be a fun one. As cliche as
it sounds, honesty really is the best policy.
FToo generic? Ok, so you find a template online and follow that in order to make sure
your CV contains all the right information. That's fine to begin with, however,
think how many other people will have done that with their CV's. Make your CV
personal to YOU. On average an employer will spend one minute per CV when
looking for a potential candidate. This means, you have one minute to get your
personality and skills across to them. Make it count!
FWhen did it
happen? Is your CV in chronological order? If your CV is all jumbled up and not in any sort of
time order an employer won't even give it a second glance. Your CV should start
with your most recent position at the top and work down. This way, the
potential employer can see what you have been doing at work recently and how
you have progressed throughout your various job roles.
FDon't leave
gaps! So that gap you have between the job you left in 2008
and the job you started in 2010...what were you doing? To avoid having to
explain your absences, fill in the gaps. Make sure you include the months you
worked as well as the years.
FProof read!
Does it make sense? If you misspell 'Curriculum Vitae' on the first line,
most employers are likely to throw your CV aside without a second glance. Proof
read EVERYTHING! Then, once you have read it through,
get someone else to read it. Don't leave any room for errors. Ask yourself, is
everything spelt correctly? Have you got the names and addresses right? Are
your contact details on there?
FReferences If you have any, include them. Employers
like references. If you can name a referee then it makes you seem more employable
and employees are more likely to take you into consideration than someone
without a reference.
So there you have it,a few basic steps that will ensure your CV
will make it's way to the top of the pile! Your CV is an important part of getting that job that you've always wanted...so do it properly, don't cut
corners!
