CV Writing Guide

Writing a good CV is crucial for making a positive impression on potential employers. A well-crafted CV highlights your skills, experience, and achievements concisely and professionally. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a strong CV:

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1. Choose the Right CV Format

• Chronological CV: Lists your work experience starting with the most recent position. This is best if you have a steady work history.

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2. Add Contact Information

Make sure your contact details are at the top:

• Full name
• Professional email address
• Phone number
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio (if relevant)
• Location

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3. Write a Strong Personal Statement or Summary

A personal statement or summary at the beginning should be a brief, 3-4 sentence pitch that highlights your qualifications, experience, and career goals.

• Tailor this section to the job you're applying for.
• Example: “Dynamic and results-driven Finance and Accounting Manager with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in financial management, reporting, budgeting, and analysis across diverse industries. Adept at leading finance teams, optimising processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks”

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• “Now seeking a challenging Finance & Accounting Manager role to leverage my expertise in delivering financial excellence and strategic insight to support the continued success and growth of an organisation”

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4. Detail Your Work Experience

• Job title: List the title of your role.
• Company name and location: Mention where you worked.
• Dates of employment: Include the month and year.
• Key responsibilities and achievements: Use bullet points to make this section easy to read. Start each point with an action verb (e.g., “Developed,” “Managed,” “Led”) and quantify achievements when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).

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Example: Finance Manager, ABC Company, New York Jan 2020 – Present

• Led a team of 10 finance experts and conducted a detailed financial analysis to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements – Saving the business €100,000 YOY
• Monitor fixed and variable costs to uncover inefficiencies and hidden expenses - €55,000 per annum

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5. Include Education and Qualifications

• Degree and field of study: Name your degree (e.g., B.A. in Business Administration).
• Institution: Mention the name of the school.
• Graduation year: You can skip the year if you prefer, especially if it was long ago.
• Certifications: List relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, CPA, ILM, Six Sigma)

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6. Highlight Key Skills

Create a section to list relevant skills. This should reflect the skills mentioned in the job description.

• Examples: IFRS, US GAAP, SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley), M&A, P&L Control etc

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7. Add Relevant Additional Sections

Depending on your experience, you may want to include:

• Certifications: Professional certifications like IT certifications (Microsoft, Power BI, Hyperion, SAP etc, or language certifications.
• Languages: If you speak more than one language, especially if it's relevant to the job.
• Volunteer Work: Showcases community involvement or leadership.
• Publications or Projects: Include if relevant to your industry.

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8. Tailor Your CV to the Job

Customisation is key. Always tailor your CV to match the specific job you're applying for:

• Use keywords from the job description (ATS systems often screen for these).
• Emphasise the most relevant experience and skills.

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9. Use Action Verbs and Quantify Achievements

• Action verbs make your CV more dynamic and impressive. Examples include: "Led," "Developed," "Optimised," "Implemented."
• Quantifying your achievements (e.g., “Improved customer satisfaction by 15%”) makes your CV stand out.

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10. Keep It Clean and Concise

• Length: Ideally, your CV should be 2-3 pages. A one-page CV is a myth as it sells you short!
• Font: Use a professional, clean font like Arial or Calibri. Font size should be 10–12 pt.
• Layout: Use consistent formatting, clear headings, and bullet points for readability.
• Proofread: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Consider using a grammar tool like Grammarly.

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11. Add Hobbies and Interests (Optional)

• If your hobbies align with the job or showcase useful soft skills, feel free to add them at the end. Examples: “Active member of a local coding club,” “Volunteer community manager.”

Example CV Layout:

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John Doe Email: johndoe@email.com | Phone: (555) 555-5555 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

Personal Statement

Dynamic project manager with over 7 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex IT solutions. Proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency and delivering projects on time and within budget.

Work Experience

Project Manager, XYZ Tech, San Francisco, CA Jun 2019 – Present

• Managed 10+ high-profile software development projects, delivering 90% of them ahead of schedule.
• Spearheaded the transition to Agile methodologies, reducing project turnaround time by 25%.

Junior Project Manager, ABC Solutions, Los Angeles, CA Jul 2016 – May 2019

• Assisted in the coordination of cross-department teams to streamline project communication.
• Conducted risk assessments, reducing project delays by 15%.

Education

B.S. in Computer Science University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduated: 2016

Key Skills

• Agile & Scrum Methodologies
• Team Leadership
• Risk Management
• Budgeting & Cost Control

Certifications

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Final Tips:

• Review your CV after every job application to ensure it remains relevant.
• Save your CV in both PDF and Word formats, as different employers may request different file types.

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