Write a brilliant CV

Remember who is reading your CV:

Employers see a lot of CVs especially in today’s climate. An employer will make a decision almost immediately based on the layout of a CV and then very quickly on the content.

The layout of the CV:

A CV should be no more than 2 sides of A4, 3 at a push if you have a lot of experience, so you may have to be fairly ruthless with the content, there needs to be a balance between not too much content and not to much white space and there should a reading level, meaning headings in bold or key points made to stand out. In addition, you need to make sure you use an easily legible and professional font such as Arial or MS-Trebuchet.

Content:

Every CV should be changed to suit the post. So that means knowing enough about the organisation you are applying to and the particular role. Use the same language and jargon used on a job spec in your CV. Draw attention to your experience that is mentioned in the job spec and of particular relevance. Make sure you put in information about particular achievements and responsibilities, such as management or financial responsibilities and highlight it.

Do’s and Don’t’s:

• Do use a simple font such as MS-Trebuchet or Arial
• Do put in plenty of achievements and responsibilities
• Do have a section just dealing with your skills
• Do list your software knowledge
• Do check your spelling and not just using the spell checker
• Do change your CV based on every role you apply for
• Don’t put a profile at the beginning of the CV everyone does it and
they always say the same thing
• Don’t use unusual fonts
• Don’t put pictures or designs on your CV it distracts from the content
• Don’t make your CV any longer than 2 sides of A4
• Don’t use a tiny font to fit more content on the page
• Don’t leave gaps in dates, explain what you have been doing


Finally, do put in your interests, although they are not essential, but only if they are interesting.  Walking for example is not in itself interesting unless its hill walking or from John O'Groats to Land's End, Reading also does not say much unless you talk about the genre you are passionate about.