Resume and CV Writing Tips
Make your CV work for you! In today’s competitive job market, your CV (sometimes called a curriculum vitae or resume) is key in securing you that all important interview.
Who is the CV for?
Your CV is for your potential employer. Try to put yourself in his or her place when you are writing it. In many cases your CV will form the basis of the employer’s first impressions and could be the reason you are invited for a face-to-face interview. That is why it is important to take the time to develop your CV so it gives the best representation of you and your skills, abilities and experience.
Guidelines for preparing your CV
Maximise your chances – present your CV well and make it user friendly. Here are some simple layout tips:
- Keep your CV to two pages maximum - CVs are generally one to two pages long.
- Choose an easily readable font and use it consistently throughout the document. For a professional look it is better to avoid using overly fancy or elaborate fonts - Times New Roman and Arial are widely used standard fonts.
- Avoid using lots of different fonts – it is better to use bold or italics for emphasis.
- Do not use a type size less than 11pt.
- If you are supplying your CV on paper use a good quality paper and keep from folding or crumpling it.
- Make sure each section is clearly labelled with an appropriate heading.
- Try to achieve a balance when presenting the information and avoid leaving big areas of white space OR cramming things in too tightly.
- Make sure that all spellings and grammar are correct. Don’t rely on a spell checker, if you are not sure double check with a dictionary. Bad spelling looks sloppy and unprofessional.
Content
CVs commonly include the following sections:
- Name and contact details
- Personal details such as nationality, gender and date of birth if you wish.
- Key Competencies/Achievements/Attributes/Skills
- Career History
- Education and Qualifications
- Professional Memberships
- Additional Achievements and Interests
- References
Name and contact details
Start with your name as the page title and include your contact details – telephone number, mobile number and email address.
Key Competencies
Including your Key Achievements and Skills on the front page gives you the opportunity to highlight aspects of your career which are particularly relevant to the position you are applying for. Be concise and consider listing your key competencies, relevant experience, achievements and personal attributes in a bullet point list. This is your opportunity to present evidence which suggests you are suited to the position.
Career History
Include details of the jobs you have had, starting with the most recent. If you have had many jobs consider listing only the most recent as space is an important consideration. Include dates of employment, job titles and brief descriptions of your key tasks and responsibilities. Be sure to include details of jobs which you feel are relevant to the position you are applying for.
Education and Qualifications
Include details of your Education and Qualifications, starting with the most recent. Once you have reached Degree level it may not be necessary to include school results.
Additional Achievements and Interests
Include in this section details of any particular achievements outside of your workplace (or school/university if you are a recent graduate). If they are relevant you could consider including sporting achievements, computer skills, language fluency, whether or not you can drive, and any recent training or skills development programmes you may have attended.
References
It is not always essential to supply references on your CV. Some employers will request references as part of the application process. If you do include referees or provide them at a later date, always check to see they are comfortable for their contact details to be disclosed.
Summary
Don’t forget: Your CV will form your potential employer’s first impression of you. Try to tailor it to the specific requirements of the job on offer. Present your details in a clear and concise format that makes it easy for an employer to see your relevant skills. Choose your layout carefully, use professional and concise vocabulary .and of course, be truthful. Ultimately, you have to be comfortable with the content and style.
