Keep it Simple and Brief

Employers don’t have time to sift through pages of information so we advise to keep it to two pages. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to include more depending on the skills and qualifications required.

Layout

Ensure the layout of your CV makes it easy to browse. Most hiring have a tendency to browse CVs rather than reading them word for word. Visual appearance is also key, a messy and hard to read CV is likely to end up in the bin. Keep it simple, ensure section titles are bold and that achievements etc. are bulleted

Avoid tables

Avoid using tables and text boxes to layout your CV, particularly when using recruitment agencies or submitting a CV online. This is because systems that are often used to process CVs and convert them into one format can’t recognise tables and boxes so any information written in them may get lost.

Work history

List your career history in order of the most recent position first and include key responsibilities and achievements for each role. As the roles go further back in time, include less achievements and responsibilities.

Include specifics

Employers want to know significant things you have achieved, if you can highlight that in numbers it will stand out to the employer.

Qualifications

Remember to include any qualifications you have, as well as other relevant skills and awards.

Interests

Employers want to know a bit about your personality but interests can often take up valuable CV space. If you haven’t got room don’t bother. If you do include them, keep it brief and try to make it relevant to the job in question.

Proof read!

Check and double check for errors. Get a friend to read through it if you can as they are more likely to spot errors you miss.

Handy tip: try reading line by line starting from the bottom of the page to the top, this breaks up the flow of reading and makes you less likely to skim over mistakes.