We are sure you all know how important it is to have the ideal CV, it is, after all, a potential employer's first introduction to you but how do you go about writing it? What details should you make sure it contains and what should you take out? We at AllCardiffJobs want to help you in increasing your possibility of getting that fantastic so here are hints for making the right first impression.
The Basics
We know it's clear but a Curriculum Vitae (CV) should always be typed to give it the best ease of read possible. It should also be excellently presented. Think about how it looks on the page. There should be clear headings and breaks between information. A potential employer will is likely to look through lots of CVs for a job so they should be able to read the important information immediately before short listing it for a additional thorough read through. A badly laid out CV which is complicated to read will probably end up in the rubbish.
Personal Statement
Most employers would like a CV to start with a personal statement as it permits them to see straightaway what you are about. What should this contain?
- Who are you and what have you been doing work wise? What have you liked about previous jobs?
- What do you want to do? Outline your goals?
- How do you intend to go about achieving these goals?
- What are your key skills? What can you bring to a potential employer?
Ensure you give these questions serious thought before you answer them as they are likely to be questioned at interview. Here's an example of the type of thing could say:
' I am clever, a conscientious worker and determined about any challenges I come up against. My workto date has all been very customerfacing and I have found this to be very enjoyable. I have spent the last couple of years in a sales environment and I enjoy the interaction with different sorts of people this brings. I feel I am intelligent and would like the chance to use. During my time at G K Estate Agents I very much enjoyed learning as much as possible about the procedural and legal avenues of the conveyancing process and think that I learnt quickly. I am especially keen to take on a challenging role with opportunities to progress and train where possible. I am also extremely IT proficient and thoroughly enjoy using computers as part of my working life.'
Education
The next heading should be your educational history if it is especially relevant to the job for which you are applying. For example, if you have a degree in Marketing and you are applying for a marketing position then it is useful to state this first. However, if you think that your educational history is not particularly important and you are applying on the strength of your experience then it is worth possibly putting your work history first.
Your education should be noted in reverse order with the most recent education taken at the top. There is no need to go into vast amounts of detail here, simply state where you studied and what grades you were awarded. It is not essential to put the dates of study if you do not wish to as, under the Age Discrimination Act, you are not required to make any reference to your age and including dates from which your age may be discerned. Remember to include information of any other certificates you may have achieved which may be significant to the position.
Work History
Like education, it is important that this is laid out in reverse order, the most recent or current employment first. You should give the name of the business and the period of time you were employed (this does not necessarily have to be dates but you should put for how much time you were employed in that position). It is also useful to indicate where the employer was based, e.g. Cardiff. You should also clearly state what your job title was. Underneath explain succinctly what your job role was and your main tasks. This should assist a potential employer determine whether your experience makes you suitable for their position. Try to be succinct and keep it to only relevant information.
It is not a good idea to put your salary for each position undertaken on your CV as this can make an employer to make assumptions about your suitability for a position and make negotiating your salary, where applicable, harder. The same can also be said for putting your salary expectation on your CV.
Other Information
It is common for people to put a small amount of personal information, such as hobbies, on their CV. It is advisable to keep this to a minimum. You should, however, state whether you hold a driving licence and what type of transport you have.
There has also been a noticeable shift away from employers liking to see photos on a CV. For most positions it is not necessary to include a photo but if you wish to it ought to be passport photo sized and professional looking.
Spelling and Punctuation
It is important that you ensure all spelling and punctuation are perfect. Literacy is often highly important to employers so use the 'Spell Check' option on your computer.
Second Opinion
Ask a friend or contact to read through your CV. Ask them to check it looks presentable and easy to read. You should also ask them to check your spelling and grammar.
Covering Letter
When applying for a vacancy you should include a covering letter. This should say why you are applying for this job in particular and a small amount about the experience and/or skills you have which could be useful to them (avoid repeating too much from the CV itself).
Each Job is Different
Remember that it may not be 'one CV fits all', it's important spending a few moments checking your CV before each time you send it to check it makes the greatest impact for each particular role. You may want to think about changing some information, particularly your personal statement, to suit the job description.
