HOW TO WRITE YOUR CV - OUR TOP 10 TIPS

Before you start, list your top 15 - 20 achievements. An effective CV isn’t just a list of unsubstantiated claims and experience – it details skills and evidences them with achievements. You may not use every achievement on every application but having them readily available allows you to tailor your CV for specific applications. Where possible, quantify achievements. What was the increase in revenue?  How much did you save?  How many more clients did the firm gain? What was the increase in headcount?  And so on...

Secondly, try to define your key attributes to make yourself stand out. These shouldn’t be unsupported statements – everyone would like to be ‘innovative’ or ‘entrepreneurial’ but in isolation these claims are worthless. If however you have started your own business and expanded internationally before selling to a competitor, then you can evidence the claims.

Less is more. As a rule, try not to let your CV extend beyond 3 A4 pages. Don’t be tempted to cram the page full of text – it just makes it difficult to read. 

Use a clear, easy-to-understand format. Experiment with different styles until you find one you like, though steer clear of anything ‘gimmicky’. It’s likely the person reading your CV will have many others to review – make it easy for them to see what makes you stand out.

One way to do this is to separate achievements from job experience. This format allows you to bespoke your CV for specific roles by introducing particular achievements to illustrate your suitability for the role rather than just relying on a general CV.

Another good format to use for each job section is to have a short introductory paragraph about your role and then a list of bullet points detailing your achievements (NOT your responsibilities).

Don’t simply update your CV by adding in a new paragraph covering your most recent role. Revisit the rest of the text and re-write as required. As you progress in your professional career, you can reduce the amount of detail provided for earlier jobs, only citing stand-out experience and achievements.

Don’t use jargon, it’s off-putting for the reader and creates a negative impression. Plain, well-written English is the most effective way to create an accurate impression. Similarly, ensure that there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors – nothing creates a bad impression more quickly than a perceived lack of care and attention to detail.

Try to inject some personality into the CV as it’s important to provide some insight into the type of person you are. A covering letter or message is an even better opportunity to do this. Your covering letter should clearly relate your experience to the requirements shown in the job description – again, make it easy for the reader to assess your suitability.

Make sure your CV is factually correct, as it will be reviewed in detail during the interview process.