Font
Before you start, consider the font you are going to use; it needs to be easily readable and look professional. A good and commonly used example is ‘Ariel’ and an inappropriate example would be ‘Harlow Solid Italic’. You want potential employers to remember you for a clear and well-written CV.
Title
Your name and your professional title should be the first thing an employer reads. It should stand out from everything else, so position it at the very top of your CV in bold. Titling your CV as ‘Curriculum Vitae’ isn’t necessary, your name and your professional title should be enough.
Target Audience
Who are you sending your CV to and what are they looking for? What do they require in an employee and what do you have to offer in return in terms of experience and skills? You don’t always have to have one CV., so tailor each one to fit the role you are applying for. You need to pique a recruiter’s interest, so think about what makes you stand out from the crowd.
CV Style
Decide how you are going to set your CV out: Chronological, Functional or Combined. There is no right or wrong way, but there are advantages and disadvantages to each style. Depending on different factors such as your age, current situation, past work history and career aspirations, you may want to draw attention to certain aspects and away from others.
Clear and Concise
Aim to make your CV no more than 2 pages long, using bullet points rather than long paragraphs. As well as setting out your skills, experience, attributes and promotions, use facts and figures to highlight achievements and occasions when you have added value. Above all be honest, never lie as you may be asked to back up your statements at interview and a lie could potentially cost you your job in the future.
Hobbies, Personal Interests or Volunteering
This gives a recruiter a sense of who you are outside of work and can help to strengthen a CV. Particularly useful if you lack work experience (school, college and university leavers for example) and not necessary for senior professionals. What you choose to do in your free time demonstrates whether you like to keep fit and healthy, if you are a natural leader, competitive, a team player or someone who has good interpersonal skills. It also provides an opportunity for further discussion at the interview, particularly if your hobbies/interests are relatable to the role you are applying for.
Proofreading
As well as using a built-in grammar and spell checker, rope in the family or trusted friends to read your CV. over. Take your time, get it right and be prepared to rewrite and correct parts so it flows and reads perfectly. First impressions do matter when it comes to job searching, so make sure you leave the right one. If CV. writing isn’t your strong point or you haven’t done one for years, perhaps enlist the services of a C.V. writing professional and consider the cost as an investment in your future.
Ask Rocket Recruit
Don’t be afraid to ask us for advice on your CV. We’re always happy to help and give you some additional pointers.
