HOW TO WRITE A CV IN 2023
A few simple guidelines to get you noticed!
Whether you’re wondering how to write a CV for the first time, or simply updating it to start your new job search, a little bit of guidance is always helpful to ensure you include the most relevant and important information.
We’ve highlighted a few simple guidelines on what to include and how to get your CV noticed by Recruiters!
1 - Tailor your CV to suit the role you’re applying for. Recruiters receive hundreds of CV’s each day so making it quick and easy to see why you would be a perfect fit, or by clearly showing your transferable skills, will give you a huge advantage in reaching the YES pile.
2 - Only cover the last ten years of employment - or what is most relevant to your application. It can be hard to keep something so key, nice and concise, but on average Employers only spend 8 seconds looking over your CV so keeping the information current and relevant is critical. CV’s should be no more than two A4 pages.
3 - Include a personal statement! This is usually the ‘opener’ to your CV and the first opportunity to give Recruiters an insight to your personality, key skills and achievements.
4 - Make sure everything is in chronological order. Work from your most recent position back chronologically through your previous employment and any education.
5 - Be honest! Obviously falsifying your CV can lead to trouble when Employers do background and reference checks. It may also lead to a very awkward and embarrassing interview if you’re asked questions about certain things on your CV and can’t openly discuss them!
6 - Make it look good! We live in a world where image is everything and taking some time to make your CV look presentable can keep the eye of an Employer. Choose a professional layout with clean spacing, consistent style and concise wording. Leave spacing between categories and make the layout easy on the eye.
7 - Don’t leave gaps! Leaving obvious gaps in your employment can give Employers cause for concern when unexplained. If you have been out of work, be positive and be honest. If you’re feeling uncomfortable about these breaks, know you’re not alone. Find confidence in the skills gained during your break and prepare to talk optimistically about these when asked.
8 - Be mindful of errors… Employers will look for mistakes on your CV so try to make sure your punctuation and spelling is perfect. Spellchecker is a fantastic tool but you can also ask someone else to read over your CV before sending it as they may spot easily missed mistakes!
9 - Keep it professional. It may be worth rethinking the quirky email you made many years ago as this is usually something right at the top of your CV! Something that may have seemed funny some time ago, may not give the best impression now.
10 - Make it individual! It’s easy to Google ‘wording for CV’s’ to give you the ‘perfect’ intro, however Recruiters do see so many CV’s it’s easy to spot where this has been copied. Make it your own, show your personality where possible and keep it truly individual to you!
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