Writing a CV – 18 Magic Tips You Need To Know

You only have two pages to persuade an employer to interview you. So how do you make your CV stand out from the rest? Harriet gives some insider tips into crafting the perfect CV.

1. Find out what they want from you.

Do they want a CV? Do they want a covering letter too? A CV and a covering letter are not the same thing! You can’t just say ‘refer to my CV’ in your covering letter. Doing each properly shows the employer that you are keen on the job.

2. Tailor your CV towards the job.

Employers are looking for skills that will make you the best candidate for a specific job. Lots of information about other skills in totally unrelated areas is just extra reading for them. This therefore means you need a very clear idea understanding of what the job entails. Illustrate what you as an individual can bring to their company. Don’t be lazy and send out the same CV to all your potential employers. Spending that extra 10 minutes to tailor your CV could mean the difference between success and rejection. Try to see your CV from their perspective!

3. Talk about results.

Saying ‘I’m a very organized person’ on your CV is all very well but how do employers know that is true? You need to provide evidence that you have all the qualities that you list. Instead you should put something like ‘I am a very organized person because I was able to organize a fundraising event for the bird watching society’ etc.

4. Properly reference your employers Company names.

You will sound a lot more professional if you use their whole name. It is Marks and Spencers not M&S. If you worked for an individual make sure you use their whole name. Working for ‘my mate dangerous Dave’ will impress no-one.

5. If they ask you provide references- do it!

Surprisingly people don’t always do what they are told by the job advert. If it says provide two references, you should do it. If they require referees that know you in a professional/academic context, make sure this is the case. Ensure that your referees are aware that they are giving you a reference- and ideally which companies/jobs you are applying for. They can then tailor your reference to talk about how keen you are on the company, and all the relevant experience you have. You can even give your referee a copy of you CV to help them promote you. However, if you don’t want the company to contact your current employer before an interview, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them to wait.

6. Volunteer!

If you’re really stuck for experience try volunteering. By going out and finding work experience it shows the employer that you have initiative and are interested in the sector. It also shows that you understand what the job entails. It is a great way of making new contacts in the area, and if you’re good they may end up employing you! Volunteering in other areas (such as the care or charity sectors) can be extremely rewarding and looks good too.

7. Emphasize your strengths, not your weaknesses.

OK so you took a year off or were unemployed for a short time. It is not the end of the world- what did you do in that time? Teach yourself a new skill? Gained some new experience? Focus on the positives, and so will the employer.

8. Make it readable.

Employers have to shift through tens or even hundreds of CVs, often in a very short period of time. Using tiny or ridiculous font will not endear you to the employers, and the employer may give up reading it. Keep it to two pages, and make it crisp and concise.

9. Get someone else to read it.

You’ll be surprised how many times you have to read a CV to get it right. It is very easy to leave typos in- but they are the first things the employer will notice. A sloppy CV could lose you your dream job. Spell check is a must. Always get a third person to read your CV before you send it off- a fresh pair of eyes can be invaluable.

10. Keep copies.

You never know when someone may ask for your CV, so aim to keep one handy. Also, be sure to read your CV just before you go in for an interview as you employers will base their questions on your CV.

1. Don’t make yourself sound troublesome.

If you ended your last job on a bad note don’t put this in your CV. Citing ‘creative differences’ make you sound difficult to work with. Avoid putting such things in your CV, and if asked always remain polite about your previous employer, whatever your feelings. Including your previous salary on your CV is not a good idea. It may either intimidate your employer, or lead them into thinking they can pay you less. Leave them guessing.

2. Don’t use jargon.

You may be an expert in your particular field, but your employers may not. For example, an IT consultant shouldn’t write about coding and RAM in an application for a job in an insurance company. It will scare the employer into thinking that they will never understand a word the candidate says. Instead, make sure that the employer can understand the significance of what you did, and show them that you will be able to work with them effectively.

3. Don’t lie.

Employers will ask about your CV and if they catch you out the interview is over. If they find one lie how can they trust the rest of your CV? Also, some employers will ask you to provide certificates at the interview. Be honest.

4. Don’t underestimate your achievements.

It can be quite hard looking at a blank sheet of paper trying to list your achievements. However, when you start to think carefully about it, you’ll find that you actually have achieved a lot. Have you been in a club or society? What skills did that give you? Did you help organize an event? Have you ever had any administerial experience? Worked in a team? It all counts- and looks very attractive to employers.

5. Don’t include a picture.

Employment law in the UK is very strict about various types of discrimination (e.g. age, ethnicity) – including a picture makes it harder for them to be truly objective about your CV. So no matter how pretty you are, leave a photo out.

6. Never include a quote or tagline, you are not a movie.

You do not need a tagline. Also, if you didn’t come up with the quote why include it? The CV is about YOU. While it is important to promote your achievements, keep your ego in check- remember that the employer will be thinking about how you will work in a team.

7. Don’t use embarrassing email accounts.

It would be such a shame if they decided to offer you the job, only to find that they have to contact ivorbigun@hotmail.com, or naughtygirl4u@hotmail.com. You should present yourself as professionally as possible. Get a boring sounding email address, even if it is only temporary.

8. Don’t just leave it there – keep it updated regularly.

You’ll be surprised how much you achieve in a year, and it is easy to forget to include this on your CV. By keeping your CV up to date you are presenting the best of yourself to your potential employers.