The difference between a good CV and a bad one is the difference between getting an interview and ultimately getting a job. The pointers below are the basics, not a complete guide:
Simple layout
- No more than 2 sides of A4 paper
- Plain white paper and black size 12 writing in a simple font such as ‘Times New Roman’
- Underline the headings for each section eg ‘Work Experience’ or ‘Contact Information’
- Decide whether to use a functional CV or a chronological CV model and stick to it, so the structure is simple and not confusing
Content
- Use a spellchecker on your computer and if possible ask a friend or colleague to proof read it for you
- Make sure your contact details are correct and up to date
- Write professionally and clearly. Keep sentences concise and to the point and avoid using colloquial or slang expressions
Target the job you are applying for
-Don’t make work for your potential employer. For example, if you are applying for a position in the building industry and have a HGV license, make sure this is one of the first things on your CV and not buried amongst information less relevant to the position
- Include a cover letter in the same font and paper attached to your CV. This is your chance to specifically refer to the job in question and relate your CV to the position
Making minor changes to your CV and rearranging information or format can be the difference between getting an interview and a job. See our example cv’s for a guideline on what a good CV looks and reads like.