CLICK HERE FOR A TEMPLATE TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL CV
Searching for and getting the perfect new job can be difficult. So, when you find your perfect role, it is important to make sure you take the time to write a successful CV. The first thing a future employer generally uses to decide whether they will consider you for the job is your CV. Learn how to write a successful CV and you will impress very quickly whilst a bad CV will be disregarded even quicker!
As with any form of communication, elements of a CV provide connotations and meanings which are interpreted almost subconsciously. Before even reading the words on the page, the eye and mind will start to draw conclusions.
It is important for both the writer and the reader to become aware of these subconscious assessments as they can be very influential.
Key areas to consider when you start to write a successful CV are:
- The look and feel: a successful CV should look crisp and clear not only to be aesthetically pleasing but easy to follow.
- The structure: a successful CV structure should be logical and not confusing.
- The style: this is not only in terms of the visual look of the CV but the language, tone and punctuation also speaks volumes. Ensuring you tailor the style to the job and company you wish to apply for will set you on the way to write a successful CV.
It’s common knowledge that employers will make their minds up within the first minute of reading a CV. With a lot of top recruiters and recruitment managers reviewing up to 200 applications for one role, it is crucial to understand exactly what they are looking for and what you need to consider and include in order to write a successful CV.
How to write a successful CV
The look and feel, layout, structure and style are all important in writing a successful CV. The use of bold, colour, spacing, alignment and bullets can really help employers quickly view the information that is important at a glance.
Make sure to include each of these within your CV:
- Profile and/or objective
- Education
- Company names with clear dates
- Job titles
- Responsibilities and skills
- Key facts and metrics such as clients, products worked with, projects worked on etc
- Key achievements
When structuring the above details it is important to be logical, unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise, the most recent experience/education should come first, for example a recent graduate should feature education over a short work placement whilst someone with over 5 years work history should lead with their experience.
An untidy or illogical layout can be fatal, equally it is just as important to ensure the content is strong, so once it’s typed it up, before you consider it finished run through the following questions:
- Does it match what the employer will be looking for, for this role?
- Does it follow the S.T.A.R method in describing your roles?
- Does it include the important facts & figures – dates, reasons for leaving, revenues, key skills, systems and software worked with etc?
- Does it provide details not only of previous experience but also your skills and personal characteristics?
- Does it include relevant industry buzz words, the reader will be searching for?
- Does it include internal jargon which may mean nothing to those you don’t work with? It shouldn’t!
If you are happy all the above points are covered, it is well worth asking a friend to or specialist recruiter to read through to check for typos, make sure it makes sense, and it fits with the role and company. Additionally before you consider sending your CV to anyone, make sure you know your CV and the facts and figures you have included. It is amazing how many people will quote different facts to those detailed on their CV!
Take into account all these points and you’ll be able to write a successful CV in no time and will be well on your way to finding your perfect job.
Our team of specialist recruiters have put together some additional documents to help your find out how to write a successful CV, including an easy-to-use successful CV template.
CLICK HERE FOR A CV TEMPLATE TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL CV
At Eligo Recruitment we offer a personal, consultative recruitment service, happy to review your CV, and advise on interview techniques and how you can secure your next dream job. We listen to you and provide specialist advice to help match you to the right job opportunities.
Our areas of recruitment expertise are the following industries: Fire & Security, Technology, ERP, Medical, Digital Marketing and Events. We have jobs and candidates of all levels across Permanent, Contract and Temporary.