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When it comes to job hunting, having a good CV is vital. This is because a well-written, well-presented CV is able to illustrate your suitability for a role, painting a picture of who you are and the value you can add to a business.
But, the CV has evolved over the years. While once a simple document stating facts about previous employment and career goals, many candidates are breaking boundaries and exercising their creative flair, devising CVs that are unique and innovative.
However, research has found that recruiters and employers prefer to receive CVs in a simple, easy-to-read format.
Below we look at the best way to build a CV that employers will remember.
At the very top of your CV you will need to state your personal details, including:
Your full name
Phone number
Home address
Date of birth
Relevant social media handles
It is not uncommon for candidates to include a headshot on their CV. However, this is not something a recruitment consultant or employer will need in order to gauge your suitability for a role.
Having an ‘Introduction’ section to your CV is essential, giving whoever reads it a snippet of information about your career aspirations and achievements so far. But, this does not have to be War and Peace. In fact, keeping it brief and snappy is best.
Information to cover includes details about your professional background, career goals and your current employment situation, providing a window into you as professional.
In simple language, you must now state your qualifications and any relevant training you have completed. Start with the most recent qualification/training and work your way back. You will not need to go back any further than your GCSEs. It is also important that you state what school, college, university, academy or training centre you attended, the grades/qualifications you received and the dates you attended.
Any employer or recruitment consultant will require details of your employment history, gaining clarity on the roles you have excelled in and the skills you have picked up along the way. But, listing in-depth details about every job you have ever had really is not necessary.
Our advice would be to only go into detail about relevant roles, listing any other jobs with its job title and the timeframe in which you occupied that role.
It is also best to start with the most recent role and work your way back.
When vetting your CV, recruitment consultants and employers will want to learn about the skills you have. These need to be listed on your CV in bullet points. It is important that you state both hard and soft skills. Hards skills refer to specific skills required to carry out a job. For example, an Accountant will need excellent accountancy and analytical skills to succeed as an Accountant. Soft skills are more personable, covering skills such as teamwork, flexibility, leadership and so on.
Modern employers are eager to find employees that fit in with and enhance their company culture, therefore will want to know as much about a candidate's personality, character and hobbies as possible. This is why listing your interests is a must.
With your ‘References’ section, you can either state ‘references on request’ or state the contact details of 2 people that can provide you with a reference. These can be people you have worked for previously, associates; anyone aside from family members and friends.
When you have completed your CV, it is advised that you proofread the document to rectify any spelling mistakes or typos. It also pays to get a friend or family member to give your CV the once over, making sure no mistakes have been missed.
