Your CV is the first point of contact between you and your next potential employer. It needs to be succinct and presented in a format that is easy to read with a simple font, minimal styling, and the use of bullet points to more easily break down information.
If you’ve made a new year’s resolution to find a new, well paid, and exciting career in 2022, then your first task should be to review your current CV, and ensure that it stands out from the crowd. Let’s have a look at some tips to restructure your CV and make sure it gets the right attention.
Start with name, address and contact details
You should list your main contact details so that prospective employers can contact you easily. Make sure the details are presented clearly and are prominent at the top of your CV.
Introduce yourself
Summarise and highlight relevant details that will show what you can offer to a potential employer. This should include career highlights to demonstrate your accomplishments and should be tailored for each role you apply for to ensurer you stand out from the competition.
Tip – Include a link to your LinkedIn profile with your introduction.
Summarise your skills
Using bullet points, briefly list the skills and experience that are specific and relevant to the post you are applying for. Hiring managers will receive many CVs, and will first scan this section quickly to determine your suitability.
Tip – try to use the same adjectives as those used in the advertisement.
Highlight relevant experience
List your work history, starting with the most recent, and include paid work, relevant volunteer work, and work experience placements. Ensure you tailor this section, especially key responsibilities in previous roles, to meet the requirements of the job you’re applying for.
Shout about your achievements
Your CV is how your sell yourself, so highlight why you are the best fit for the role, so include details about where you have gone above and beyond or made a significant achievement.
List any training, education and courses
Only list what is relevant or required for the role you are applying for, starting with the most recent. It is important to showcase where you may have up-skilled or could bring new knowledge to the organisation.
References are available on request
It is absolutely fine to withhold references until further in the recruitment process, but ensure that you have them readily available and contactable if and when requested.
Final top five tips
Use the right ‘keywords’ to ensure your CV is picked up in word searches
Explain any gaps in your CV, and be sure to highlight the skills that you have developed
Don’t include acronyms or organisation related terminology
Include two forms of contact, email and mobile
Spelling and grammar check – ensure you check your CV thoroughly for any spelling and grammar errors. Perhaps even consider having a friend or family member check it over for you as well
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