We all know how important it is to have the perfect CV, it is, after all, a potential employer's first introduction to you but how do you go about writing it? What information should you put in and what should you leave out? We at AllCroydonJobs want to aid you in improving your chances of getting that fantastic so here are hints for making the right first impression.
The Basics
We are all aware it's obvious but a Curriculum Vitae (CV) should always be typed to give it the best clarity possible. It should also be excellently laid out. Think about how it looks on the page. There should be clear headings and breaks between paragraphs. A prospective employer will is likely to look through loads of CVs for a job so they should be able to read the pertinent information at a glance before short listing it for a additional thorough read through. A badly laid out CV which is difficult to read will probably end up in the bin.
Personal Statement
The majority employers would like a CV to start with a personal statement as it allows them to see immediately what you are about. What should this include?
- Who are you and what have you been doing in terms of work? What have you found most rewarding about previous jobs?
- What do you want to do? Outline your goals?
- How are you going to go about achieving these goals?
- What are your key skills? What can you bring to a potential employer?
Ensure you give these questions considered thought before you come up with an answer as they are likely to be questioned at interview. Here's an example of the type of thing may say:
' I am clever, hardworking and serious about any challenges I come up against. My careerup until now has all been decidedly customerorientated and I find this to be very enjoyable. I have spent the last eight years in a sales environment and I enjoy the contact with different types of people this brings. I feel I am intelligent and would like the opportunity to exploit. During my time at Houses R US Estate Agents particularly enjoyed learning as much as possible about the procedural and legal parts of the conveyancing process and felt that I learnt quickly. I am especially keen to take on a challenging position with opportunities to progress and train where possible. I am also very IT literate and very much take pleasure 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 to which you are applying. For example, if you have a degree in Finance and you are applying for a finance position then it is useful to state this first. However, if you feel your educational history is not especially important and you are applying on the strength of your experience then it is worth considering putting your work history first.
Your education should be stated in reverse order with the most recent education taken first. It is unnecessary to go into lots detail here, simply state where you studied and what grades you were awarded. It is not necessary to put the dates of study if you do not want 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 extra certificates you may have be awarded which may be relevant to the position.
Work History
Like education, it must be laid out in reverse order, the most recent or current employment first. You should state the name of the company and the period of time you were employed (this does not have to be dates but you should put for how much time you were employed in that role). It is also useful to state where the employer was based, e.g. Croydon. You should also clearly state what your job title was. Underneath explain succinctly what your job role was and your main tasks. This should aid a potential employer determine whether your experience makes you suitable for their role. Try to be succinct and keep it to only relevant information.
It is not advisable to put your salary for each employment undertaken on your CV as this can make an employer to make assumptions about your suitability for a role and make negotiating your salary, where applicable, more difficult. The same can also be said for putting your salary expectation on your CV.
Other Information
It is not uncommon for job seekers 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 have a driving licence and whether you own your own car etc.
It is not always the case that employers like to see photos on a CV. For most vacancies it is not necessary to include a photo but if you wish to it should be passport photo sized and professional in appearance.
Spelling and Punctuation
It is vital that you make sure all spelling and punctuation are right. Literacy is often highly required to employers so use the 'Spell Check' facility on your computer.
Second Opinion
Ask a friend or contact to read through your CV. Ask them to double check that 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 try to incorporate a covering letter. This should say why you are applying for this job in particular and a little bit about the experience and/or skills you have which could be important to them (avoid repeating too much from the CV itself).
Each Job is Different
Don't forget that it may not be 'one CV fits all', it's important spending a few minutes checking your CV before each occasion you send it to ensure it makes the greatest impact for each particular opening. You may want to think about changing some information, particularly your personal statement, to suit the job description.
