How to write a stand out CV to secure your next job

CV writing is an important part of the recruitment process. Your CV is often the first thing a prospective employer will so of you, and first impressions really do count when it comes to job searching. In addition, your CV is the instrument that allows a firm to decide whether they want to interview you. So, take time when you are CV writing and have a think about the following:

• A short paragraph to provide a?personal statement?highlighting your key skills and career aims. Use this opening statement to catch the eye of your potential employer.
• Personal details:?including a contact telephone number and email address. Also, if you have a well-developed?LinkedIn?profile, which support your job search, include the direct link.
• Qualifications:?to include all from GSCE onwards, Date of Admission, Professional Qualifications and Memberships.
• Work experience:?(paid or voluntary), with responsibilities and achievements.
• Key or transferable skills
• Any additional?relevant skills, such as language skills or specific IT skills.

What not to include on your CV

When CV writing, do not include the following:

• Your age
• Your marital status
• Your health status
• Your nationality
• Your photo
• Your educational institution addresses
• Minor training or qualifications unrelated to the post applied for
• Your references

Tailor Your CV

Equally important, is to ensure your CV is accurate and targeted for the job you are applying for.

Personalise your CV to every job you apply for. Identify the skills and experience required from the job advert and job specification of the job you are applying for. Then ensure you include the relevant skills and relevant experience on your CV.

Don’t Duplicate

Don’t just duplicate (copy and paste) your responsibilities from role to role. Your duties may be similar in previous jobs, but not exactly the same, surely? If they are, then focus more on your achievements in that role, as they will be different in every position. Show that your time in the role was relevant and you achieved something.

Make it engaging. Sell yourself!

Importantly, your?CV?writing should be engaging, professional and easy to read. Above all, ensure you get across your unique qualities, personality, experience and skills. Critically, don’t lie on your CV. Certainly employers will run background checks to ensure no false claims are made.

Hobbies and interests on CVs

A common question we get asked by candidates is “should I include my hobbies and interests in my CV?”. We say yes, as long as they are different and less mainstream. Use your interests as a space to make you stand out and make you memorable. After all, many CVs that any hiring manager will see will often look similar. This is your opportunity to leap off the page, and start to cultivate a personality with the firm, even before you've interviewed.

A good way to do this is to expand on your hobbies a little, give a little more depth. Enjoy cooking? Great, but talk about particular cuisines you have challenged yourself to master and why. Hiking? What mountains have you climbed recently and what is in your future plans? Travel? Unless its interesting destinations and show an adventurous spirit, it doesn't count.

Think of them as conversation starters. They are likely to be the area of the CV that the hiring manager picks up on first, a gentle ice breaker into a conversation. So make them want to talk to you about it, and make them interesting.

Double check your finished CV for typos

Also, don’t make mistakes. Check and double check to ensure no spelling or grammar errors.

Eventus Recruitment are here to help you with your CV

Please?contact The Eventus Recruitment Group?if you would like help with your CV, or indeed if you would like us to write it for you. The CV preparation stage is very much part of our tailored and complimentary service for job-seekers in the legal, HR, finance and accountancy sectors.

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