Tips for Crafting a Compelling CV

To help you stand out in the crowd, here are some essential CV writing tips.

Start With the Basics

All CV should include:

• The titles of your previous roles.
• The names of your previous employers.
• The month and date those roles started and finished. 
• Bullet points that outline your duties, responsibilities and achievements. 
• Your educational achievements: the names of schools you have attended, the dates you attended them and your exam results. 

While it is not necessary to include a covering letter, it is important that you start with an introduction. By calling the hiring manager either before or after you send your CV you can make your approach more personal. If that isn’t possible then do include a covering letter that is tailored to the role you are applying for. 

Tailor Your CV

Customise your CV to each job application by making sure that the skills and experiences you highlight and emphasise align with the specific requirements of the role. This demonstrates to employers that you understand their needs and are a perfect fit for the role.

Craft a Powerful Summary

Begin your CV with a concise objective or summary statement that highlights your career goals and key qualifications. This section should grab the employer's attention and give them a snapshot of what you bring to the table.

Highlight Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities

Focus on your achievements and quantifiable results. Whether it's sales figures, project completion times, or percentage improvements, quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your capabilities. Remember to focus on your own achievements, use ‘I’ not ‘we’.

Use Action Verbs

Words like "achieved," "implemented," and "managed" give your CV a more dynamic and engaging tone.

Keep It Concise

Recruiters often skim through CVs, so keep yours concise and to the point. Aim for a CV length of one page for entry-level positions and two pages for more experienced roles. However, make sure that you don’t slim it down so much that you neglect to ensure potential employers know how much experience you are bringing to the table. If you have to write a little bit more to ensure that you get that across then it is better to go over the advised length instead of  missing out on letting potential employers know what you will bring to the role. An easy way to help to keep the length of your CV down is to only include your duties, responsibilities and achievements from your last five roles, unless there is something particularly relevant from another previous role that you would like your potential employer to know about. If you find that even just including those makes your CV start to stray onto a third or even fourth page then use your common sense to decide what you need to include and what isn’t essential. 

Prioritise Relevant Information

Put the most important information near the top of your CV. Your relevant skills and experiences should be easily noticeable, ensuring that hiring managers can quickly see why you're a strong candidate.

Use Keywords

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan CVs for specific keywords. Incorporate relevant industry terms and phrases from the job description to increase your chances of passing through these systems.

Include a Skills Section

Create a dedicated section for your key skills. This makes it easy for employers to quickly identify your strengths and ensures that your CVpasses through keyword searches.

Proofread Thoroughly

Typos and grammatical errors can make a negative impression on employers. Proofread your CV carefully, and consider asking a friend or colleague to review it as well.

By implementing these CV writing tips, you can create a compelling document that showcases your qualifications, catches the eye of recruiters, and increases your chances of landing that coveted interview. Remember, your CV is not just a record of your past; it's a powerful tool for shaping your future career success.

If you need help honing your CV just get in touch, your ideal role may be just a tweak away.