Writing A Successful CV

Applying for new jobs can be a stressful and difficult process, particularly for those who have little or no experience in writing good applications. Your curriculum vitae should set you apart from other candidates and really catch the attention of your potential future employer. Here are a few tips on how to write a successful CV.

The first thing to realise is that there are no perfect solutions or set templates for CV writing and, although looking at CV samples could be useful to get you started, it is important to create something truly unique.

Your CV should be concise and interesting. For inexperienced workers it should really exceed no more than one page of A4. Older and more experienced applicants may wish to extend this to two sides of A4 but this is the absolute limit. Employers and recruitment officers will be reading hundreds of applications and will simply overlook a lengthy, drawn out CV.

The CV should also really accentuate your own personal strengths and achievements; something else CV samples cannot offer. When you proof read the document, a few cringes are actually a good thing. It is one thing the British aren’t particularly good at but blowing your own trumpet is the only way to go. Obviously, honesty is the only policy as an employer will quickly find out if you have lied on an application!

You should send a specifically tailored CV to every job you apply for. Instead of listing everything you’ve ever done, pick and choose your achievements and qualifications to match the job you are applying for. One CV will not be sufficient for multiple job applications, instead it should be a working document that you are continually updating and moulding to fit each individual job application.

In terms of content, be sure to include your personal details such as your name, email address, phone number home address. Include a concise history of your career path, starting with the most recent job first. Include any charity work or volunteering if applicable. Be sure to include any relevant achievements, particularly if they are in a career path or job role that links to the one you are applying for. Your qualifications should be included in a similar way, starting with the most recent first. If you have any gaps in your employment history, include any relevant explanations. Do note that you are not obliged to include references on your CV as your employer will usually request these in a separate job application form.

Finally, proof read your finished article at least two or three times and then give it to a friend or parent to proof read again. Spelling mistakes and poor grammar are the quickest way to turn off your employer as they show that you haven’t bothered to take care in preparing the document.

Follow these simple tips and you will have a sturdy, informative document that you should be proud of giving to potential employers. Good luck with your applications!

Writing A Successful CV