Written by Team Creative 10 Top Tips for CV Writing
The simplest of mistakes can cost you big in the world of job hunting so here are our tips to make sure your CV gets noticed.
Spelling and grammar:
Incorrect spelling or grammar can instantly lower your chances of even being considered for a position, so get a family or friend to check over your CV before sending it out to prospective employers.
Social Media:
Its now common place for employers to check out candidate’s social media profiles so be sure to represent the best of yourself on social media. If you do like to have a little rant and rave now and again or speak controversially – maybe it’s time to switch up your privacy settings so only approved followers/friends can see what you are posting. You don’t want an off the cuff tweet ruining your chances of getting that dream job now do you!
Tailor your CV:
Take time to tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. Put focus on the skills you have to do the job and highlight experience that directly applies to the position.
Cover the basics:
Personal contact information, education, qualifications, work experience, work history, interests and achievements should all be included within your CV.
Keep it concise:
Two pages of A4 is the maximum for a CV. Longer than that and you will lose the employers interest.
Keep it clear:
Presentation is everything. Even if you are the most qualified and experience for the job, if your CV is presented in one block of text, it won’t get you anywhere. Use bullet points, line breaks and remember white space is your friend.
Don’t fib:
Remember that episode of Friends when Joey said he could speak French on his résumé? Yes? Well I think I’ve made my point. Enhance your skills all you like, but don’t make them up!
Tailor your interests:
Don’t list irrelevant interests such as clubbing/watching TV, instead highlight interests which most relate to the position being applied for. For example if you are applying for a writing position, reading and being a part of a book club are complementing interests to list.
It’s all in the detail:
Don’t waffle and get to the point when talking about your achievements. If you increased sales in your previous position, give them numbers to be impressed by. Have you managed projects? If so, what were they and of what importance were they to the company?
DON’T include a photo:
These never go down well and can make a CV look very outdated and even cheesy. Your experience and skills should speak for themselves.