Writing Your CV

Job hunting is challenging these days. Employers get flooded

with applications for every opening and may spend as little as ten seconds screening each CV.

Here are some suggestions and tips that we have been giving to our clients over the years. These tips can help your CV stand out from the crowd and ensure that you get called in for an interview.

Hit the highlights first.

Put your most important data up on the top right after your name and contact information on your CV.

A brief and compelling summary of your qualifications and skills will get the reviewer’s attention and display what you can do for the company on the basis of your credentials and accomplishments.

Focus and highlight keywords.

Read the job posting carefully and integrate the keywords into your CV. If your CV gets screened by an automatic tracking system, this will help it rank higher.

Customise your CV for each job vacancy.

These days it is better to tailor your CV to match the vacancy you are applying for due to the competitiveness of the job market. Try to adapt your language to what you know

about the company’s culture and the kind of candidate, they’re seeking, while still being authentic about your true identity.

Be consistent.

Make your CV document easy to scan. Use a consistent layout that makes your CV easy to follow and find all the important information at a glance like company names, dates, job titles and accomplishments.

Be concise.

Try to pack lots of information into as few words as possible. Avoid any repetition or empty jargon. Keep your sentences short.

Highlight your accomplishments.

The contribution you made in previous jobs is likely to be the most important factor in helping you get your next job. Focus on how you improved procedures, cut costs, won awards, earned promotions, or brought in new business.

Use action words.

As you’re describing your accomplishments, try to start each bullet with a verb.

This makes you sound more dynamic and makes your CV more interesting to read.

Try taking a different route.

Consider supplementing your traditional paper CV with a video or other digital content. Give people a link to your professional website or blog or use your LinkedIn Profile.

Proofread everything.

Print out a copy of your CV to proofread. Read it back word by word. Give it to at least one friend or family member because a fresh pair of eyes may spot typos that have become

invisible to you.

Don't forget we can also proofread your CV with a thorough check. If you need this service please book online now. Click here 

Leave lots of white space.

It’s good to keep your CV to one page if you can but even better if you do that while maintaining normal margins and 11 point fonts. Use bullets and leave some space between lines to make your CV look more inviting.

The job market is tough, but a CV that looks good and quickly demonstrates your strongest selling points could help you rise to the top of the stack. Give yourself the best chance to succeed by crafting a CV that will make your prospective employer want to learn more about you.