Loads and loads has been written about producing the ‘perfect’ CV and because we look at CV’s (some good and some bad) everyday, please feel free to use some of these hints and tips we have put together when drawing up your CV. There are no hard and fast rules to writing a winning CV – except one – don’t put anything in your CV that is not true.
It’s really important to understand the purpose of having a CV – ultimately it’s a tool you will use to secure an interview and convince the recruiter that you are someone they would want to meet for the position. Some statistics have show that recruiters will spend 20 to 30 seconds scanning a CV! So you have to get their attention very quickly. We suggest that your CV be divided into the following sections:
Personal Details:
It is not important to include personal details such as age, height or marital status on your CV, this information should not be part of the decision making process to interview you or reject your application.
The most important information for this section would include are your contact details, don’t forget to include two (working) contact numbers, as well as an email address. No good sending a CV without any way of contacting you.
Summary:
The Summary section, sometimes also called personal profile, should be no more than 4 or 5 lines of text highlighting your key skills and attributes. The statement should relate specifically to the position you are applying for and the value you could bring to the position – don’t waffle on, get to the point!
Major achievements come next:
In this section you should list three to six career related achievements and clearly highlight why you are a better candidate than others that are applying for the same position. The examples MUST be relevant and UP TO DATE (not something you achieved on your first day at school!)
Try to back up your claim to fame up with some facts and figures, for example if you increased revenue in your last position – say by how much.
Work Experience:
This next section must demonstrate that you are currently performing a position similar to the one that you are applying for. Try to clearly describe your responsibilities, skills attained and achievements in each position.
You should always start in reverse chronological order, so you’re most recent position comes first!
The bulk of you work experience should be concentrated on your two most recent positions. Make mention of where you fitted into the organisation, who you reported to on a daily basis and who reported to you. A top tip for this section is to match, as closely as possible, your current responsibilities to those described in the job description, of the position you are applying for.
Remember to include the start and finish dates of each position and be specific; include the month, not just the year. If there are any gaps in your employment history, you must give reasons for these.
It is also a good idea to include the web address of the company you are currently working at to give potential employers an insight into your level of experience.
Education/Qualifications:
This is a good time to demonstrate what RELEVANT qualifications you have obtained throughout your career. Be sure to include all dates the qualification was completed as well as the name of institution so that these can be verified by potential employers.
Don’t forget to also include any in-house training you have received that is relevant to the position you are applying for.
We have included a sample CV to assist you in compiling your own wining CV, but if you need more help, give us a call.
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