CV Tips

More often than not, your CV is the first impression that you'll make on a potential employer or recruiter. Here's how to present yourself clearly and professionally.

It is worth remembering that each recruiter's idea of a 'perfect' CV will be slightly different. Nonetheless, your CV will in most cases, be the first impression an employer has of you. Indeed a strong CV can occasionally itself secure you a job, especially if you are applying for temporary work. At worst, a poorly constructed CV can give a potential employer a negative impression of you as a candidate and bar you from securing that all important interview.

Taking a little time on design, construction and wording and using the following guidelines to write and submit your CV, will ensure you promote yourself to your best advantage.

Your CV should be laser-printed in black ink using a plain type face, on good quality A4 white/cream paper.

Decorative borders are not necessary, nor are photographs of yourself.

If applying by post, your CV and cover letter should be submitted in a suitable quality envelope, clearly addressed, with a first class stamp. If applying by email, time should be taken designing and formatting to ensure your details read clearly. Send a copy to yourself to check before submitting it for a role.

Your CV should ideally cover no more than two pages and never more than three. Aim to ensure the content is clear, structured, concise and relevant. Using bullet points rather than full sentences can help minimise word usage.

A basic CV may need tailoring with each job application to best suit the requirements of the role applied for.

The completed CV needs to be checked carefully for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes - which always leave a poor impression - and to ensure that it makes sense. Ask an 'independent' party to review the whole document before it is put into use.

Remember when writing and structuring your CV that it is essentially a marketing document on you and that a potential employer will use the details provided to form interview questions. It should be clear and easy to read. Gaps in career history should be explained and falsehoods and inaccuracies avoided at all costs.

There is no need to include your reasons for leaving each job on your CV but be prepared to answer these questions in your interview.

Return To: Main Topic Page