How to Write a Standout CV

YOUR CV IS YOUR PERSONAL ‘SALES PITCH’
Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself so make sure it really works for you. It’s important you keep it clear, concise and easy to read to ensure that the recipient can easily digest the key points (bullet points can help with this). Employers won’t generally have long to look at each CV they’re sent, so aim for no more than two pages in length if at all possible.

• Detail your full name, address and contact details (mobile phone and landline if you have one, plus your email address)
• Personal Profile (a paragraph about you and what you’re looking for in your next job role): Crafting your CV to align with the job you’re  applying for is crucial to making it standout. Achieve this by adjusting your personal profile to the job’s specifications. Examine the job description and extract frequently mentioned buzzwords, key skills, or required software systems. It’s crucial, however, that you only include these if you are genuinely proficient in them.
• Experience: List your experience in chronological order with the most recent first. Show the dates you were employed in each role, for  example, Feb 2014 to present, the company you worked for and the job role you undertook. Use the buzzwords, key skills and software systems as identified above in your work history (again, only if you have genuine experience in these areas).
• If there are any gaps in your employment history be sure to clarify what you were doing in these times periods.
• Qualifications: Include all relevant qualifications in this section. For example degrees, exam results, external courses you’ve attended or in house training you’ve undertaken.
• A bit about you and your personality. Is there anything you’d like to add to give a flavour of you as an individual? Remember that if you include “I’m an avid reader and enjoy learning new skills” you may well be asked what you are currently reading. Be absolutely honest here in order that you can answer truthfully.

It’s good practice to provide a covering letter/email telling the employer why you feel you are the right fit for the role. This can also help the interviewer when it comes to shortlisting candidates for interview.

Above all, proofread! Make sure there are no spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or ‘text speak’ in either your covering letter or CV.

As an aside, we see a lot of inappropriate / unprofessional email addresses that were set up in years gone past. Have a think about whether you’d like to set up an alternative account purely for job applications.

ATTITUDE MATTERS AS MUCH AS EXPERIENCE

While your experience of course counts, a willing and ‘can do’ attitude can give someone a distinct advantage over another applicant. Make sure your cv stands out by using positive and optimistic language. In your cover letter, for example, you could explain how you arrived at the decision to get into this field of work and highlight how you went about gaining the skills necessary.

The CIPD encourages HR (Human Resource) professionals to ‘recruit for willingness, train for skill’. This is something a lot of recruiters will have in mind during the interview process. A prospective applicant, who shows a willingness to learn and develop can often be trained in the skills required for the role

GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE
If you get an interview and it comes down to a choice between you and another candidate, there are a number of factors employers will consider when deciding who to offer the job to. You can gain a competitive edge by making sure you present yourself well, both in terms of looking smart, ensuring you display positive body language and the right attitude.

Always, always do your research about the employer in order that you feel prepared. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t check even the basics prior to attending interview. The company website is a great place to start but if you can find up to date company news to get a two-way conversation going, you’ll have set yourself apart.

You’ll usually be asked at the end of an interview if you have any questions. It’s so important to show interest in the job role and the company you’re applying to – be prepared with a few ideas of questions that you can ask about the business in order to show that you’re fully engaged.

If you need further advice, get in touch with us today! You can contact us via email, phone, or using the chat feature on our website.