7 top tips for CV writing

Getting your CV right is key to the success of your job search strategy.  It’s your first impression so you need to make it good! It can seem a little daunting starting from scratch, but it’s a case of taking all your skills and experience and tailoring them to the job you're applying for.

1. Get the basics right. There is no right or wrong way to write a CV but there are some common sections you should cover. These include: personal and contact information; education and qualifications; work history and/or experience; relevant skills to the job in question; own interests, achievements or hobbies; and some references.
2. Presentation is key. A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented, and printed on clean, crisp white paper. The layout should always be clean and well structured and CV's should never be crumpled or folded, so use an A4 envelope to post your applications. Remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter's eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.
3. Understand the job description. The clues are in the job application, read the details from start to finish. Create bullet points, highlighting everything you can satisfy and all the bits you can't. With the areas where you're lacking, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have. For example, if the job in question requires someone with sales experience, there's nothing stopping you from using any retail work you've undertaken – even if it was something to help pay the bills through university. It will demonstrate the skills you do have and show how they're transferable.
4. Tailor the CV to the role. When you've established what the job entails create a CV specifically for that role. There is no such thing as a generic CV. Every CV you send to a potential employee should be tailored to that role, don’t hope that a general CV will work because it won't.
5. Make the most of your skills. Mention key skills, such as communication skills, computer skills, team work, problem solving, and foreign languages.  Think about what you've done to grow your skills, even if you take examples from being in a local sports team or joining a voluntary group – it's all relevant.
6. Making the most of interests. Highlight things that show off skills you've gained and employers look for. For example positions of responsibility, working in a team or anything that shows you can use your own initiative. Show how diverse, interested and skilled you are. Don't include passive interests like watching TV.
7. Making the most of experience. Use assertive and positive language under the work history and experience sections, such as "developed", "organised" or "achieved". Relate the skills you have learned to the job role you're applying for. For example: "The work experience involved working in a team," or "This position involved planning, organisation and leadership as I was responsible for a team of people".

There are no short cuts, a good CV takes time to prepare.  As a recruiting specialist we see 100's of CV's and they come in all shapes and sizes - if you really want to secure the interview, take time with your CV, make it clear, easy to read and appropriate to the job your applying for. Good luck in your job search.

For more information about interview techniques and how to secure your dream job visit the Robertson Bell website.