CV Advice
Your CV is the first opportunity to market yourself to a prospective employer. It should accurately document your experience and be used as a tool to secure an interview
Here are some useful tips.
Presentation
- Always type your CV
- Check for spelling and grammar. Rely on the computer spell check and a dictionary. Spelling mistakes can show a lack of attention to detail and create a negative impression
- Double check all dates and qualifications
- Keep it simple. Use bullet points, tabs and bold to make it easy to read
- Choose a clear font such as Arial with a point size no smaller than 11pt
- Use a good quality white paper and avoid using computer graphics
Length of a CV
- Your CV should be clear and concise; try to limit it to two pages.
Personal details
These should include your:
- Name, address and contact telephone numbers
- Nationality and visa details (if applicable)
Education and qualifications
- Include school and university/college qualifications, start with the most recent and include grades and dates
- If you have an extensive work history, be brief when work history is over 10 years. You may also wish to list your educational details after your employment history
Professional quaifications and skills
- State all professional qualifications or relevant and recent courses attended
- List your IT systems knowledge and level of proficiency
- Include any foreign languages spoken and written - beginners, intermediate and advanced (fluent) - written and spoken
Professional Employment History
- Begin with your current/most recent position. Include the name of the company and nature of its business unless this is well known
- State your job title and the dates you were employed. Describe the position in detail, bullet point your responsibilities, duties and main achievements
- Keep descriptions of previous roles brief. Your current/previous role is what the interviewer is really interested in
- Fill the gaps! If you have taken time out to travel or were looking for work, state either 'Travelled to...' or 'Not employed and looking for suitable job/role'.
Personal interests
- Be specific. Your interests can reveal a lot about you. For example, rather than simply saying "Football" you could expand and say that you play for a local team and were club treasurer for the season
- Be prepared to answer questions about your interests
References
Provide references for the last five years-after the respective consultant asks for them.
Our consultants can be reached for help and advice on CVs and interview preparation on +44 (0)207 731 2600
