Top 10 tips for writing your CV
Top 10 tips for writing your CV
• Use a confident tone and positive language
• Concentrate on your achievements not your responsibilities. This means listing things you have done - such as products launched, sales increase, awards won - not rewriting your job description. Quote figures whenever possible
• Make your most relevant experience and skills prominent to encourage the employer to read on
• Keep it to the point and concentrate on the quality of your achievements, not the quantity
• List other skills that could raise you above the competition such as languages and IT skills
• Be ruthless with yourself and keep it to a maximum of two pages. Only very senior, experienced, executives have more
• Check thoroughly for correct spelling and grammar - spotting errors is a quick and easy way of weeding out weaker candidates when faced with a mountain of CVs to read
• Appeal to your online audience, ensure you have relevant keywords in your CV
• Capture immediate attention. Prioritise the content and detail the most relevant information first
• Tell your reader more about your degree other than just the modules you have taken. Show me successes you have had in your project work and dissertations and other extracurricular activities you have undertaken
Top 10 worst tips for writing your CV
• Lie – the bigger the lies you put on your CV then the better the job you will get.
• List all the one-day training courses you have ever been on
• Include a photo – the more attractive you make yourself look, the better your chances
• Use elaborate fonts and colours so your CV stands out
• Divulge sensitive information – make sure that you put your NI and passport number on the front page
• Change your CV for every position you are applying for
• The more gimmicky you make your CV using different shapes and pictures the more improved your chances will be
• Make sure that you list as many referees as possible, especially if you know the Prime Minister
• Always start each sentence in the first person, i.e. I, Me and My
• Try and use as many clichéd terms as possible, I am a highly motivated individual who works well on my own or in a team, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to work under pressure to produce results under tight deadlines.