The world of work is tough to break into but a good curriculum vitae can definitely help. Often the only thing an employer will see before potentially inviting you to be interviewed, a hot curriculum vitae is absolutely essential. Everyone knows how to write a CV but few know how to create a truly great one. Fortunately, you can be one of those people thanks to our handy list of tips to improve your CV. Follow these guidelines and you’ll see yourself one step closer to bagging that dream job.
Keep it Concise
Employers look at dozens of CVs every day and if yours is 3 pages long and full of unnecessary information they simply won’t give it the time of day, no matter how right you are for the job. Make it as easy as possible to read through your life achievements and you’re much more likely to grab their attention.
Use Buzzwords
But not just any buzzwords. Read through exactly what your employer is looking for in their job advert and tailor your CV to include as many of these things as possible. If they want a team player, tell them, explicitly, that you are a team player and include an example to back it up.
Keep it Relevant
If you are applying for a position at the NHS, chances are the person reading your CV won’t care that you worked in a bar 6 years ago at university or that you have a swimming certificate. Make sure you fill your CV exclusively with things that show that you are an ideal candidate.
Prove You’re Qualified
Your formal education is important but everyone has a degree nowadays. If you have extra qualifications, these are worth a lot in today’s job market. Additional accreditations such as a Global Energy Certification will go a long way when applying for jobs in that field.
Show You’re an All-Rounder
You don’t have to fill your curriculum vitae up exclusively with work. Employers like to know that you have a life outside of your job so if you play an instrument or volunteer somewhere on the weekend, be sure to let them know. This adds an extra dimension to your application and will show them you’re just a normal human, not a work robot.
Format it Well
If your CV is typed in size 8 font and is made up of 3 lengthy paragraphs, it will be going straight in the bin. Use bullet points, subheadings and headers to make your CV easy to read. This will please your future employer to no end and will make an interview far more likely.
Check and Double Check
The worst thing on a CV, by far and away, is a typo. It shows that you haven’t checked it properly, which in turn shows you’re either lazy, careless or both. Make sure your CV is absolutely flawless before sending it off – even if this means getting your friends and family to proofread it for you.
State your Goals
At the beginning of your CV it is often helpful to state, in a sentence or two, who you are and what your want to achieve. This puts your CV in context and shows them that you have an aim in mind, a signifier of someone with ambition.
Do Your Research
Make sure you know the company you are applying to and make sure your CV reflects their brand values. If they have a big emphasis on corporate social responsibility, show them that you do too by including charity work you have undertaken etc.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
Your CV is not your life story and your employer only needs to know enough to pique his interest in you enough to invite you for an interview. You don’t need to include references or a photo at this stage. All they need to be able to see is that you have the qualifications to be a potential employee at their company.
