CV introduction
The ideal CV is a written communication that clearly demonstrates your ability and experience in a specific field in such a way that the reader wants to meet you. Your CV is a marketing tool, usually two pages long, designed to make a prospective employer want to meet you. Your CV needs to highlight your strengths and accomplishments, matching your experience and abilities to the job requirements in a manner that sets you above other candidates.
The creation of a CV requires you to spend a sensible amount of time and effort in the collation of information, preparation, layout, proof-reading and analysis. Generally, your CV has just 30 seconds (or less) to impress the professional recruiter before being discarded in the round filing cabinet on the floor!
Accept that your first effort will, almost certainly, require tuning, editing, modification, perhaps re-writing. Prepare, print-off, examine, re-examine after a couple of days, have your friends and family examine.
Your CV performs two functions in your job search. Firstly, it acts as a sales tool, illustrating why you should be considered for a position, in something less than thirty seconds! Secondly, your CV will form the framework for any subsequent interview; employers often use your CV as a basis for their questions regarding your skill, experience and suitability for the position in question. Put the most attractive, and relevant, information at the top of your CV
Your CV performs two functions in your job search. Firstly, it acts as a sales tool, illustrating why you should be considered for a position, in something less than thirty seconds! Secondly, your CV will form the framework for any subsequent interview; employers often use your CV as a basis for their questions regarding your skill, experience and suitability for the position in question. Put the most attractive, and relevant, information at the top of your CV.
CV communication
Your CV (curriculum vitae) or resume need to communicate:
- your personal details – name, address, telephone number, email address
- thumbnail sketch of applicable skills
- education
- experience and work history
- general interests
The order in which the above appear is dependant upon your individual circumstances. There is no one, single presentation that is right for all individuals; what is suitable for one person may be less than ideal for another. What matters is achieving a combination of content and layout that works for you.
Apart from the free advice given on this website we are able to provide both CV and cover letter templates or, if you prefer, a full advisory/writing service that will substantially improve your chances of achieving that winning interview.
CV preparation
It is essential that you take the time, and make the effort, to ensure that your CV adequately reflects your experience and capability. If this is your first attempt to produce a quality CV, then be prepared to devote several days in its preparation. The CV is your sales leaflet; make it the best you can!
The CV is your sales tool – do not sell yourself short! We have seen, time and time again, highly competent individuals who undersell themselves and thus fail to impress sufficiently – your CV is no place for understatement. It is essential that you fully illustrate both your potential and your achievements, particularly with regard to the position being sought.
In you own specific combination of skills, experience, aptitudes, interests, enthusiasm and energy you have something very special to offer. It is common for individuals to disqualify themselves for what they do not have rather than proclaim and celebrate themselves for their unique qualities.
Concentrate on what you do have, rather than dwell on any gaps in education, experience or character; almost all negatives have a positive reflection – find it! Self-analysis is difficult, one of the hardest things you will ever do, but also one of the most rewarding tasks you will undertake in a lifetime of endeavour.