CV Writing Services

Crafting the perfect CV

When you’re trying to search for jobs during the recession, it can feel like an uphill struggle. With plenty of stiff competition, you really need to showcase yourself to the best of your ability with potential employers. A well structured, clear CV is key to presenting yourself well.

There are plenty of resources online that can help you to fine tune your CV to make it work for you. Recruitment sites like reed.co.uk, for example, don’t just offer jobs listings, but also advice on CVs, covering letters and interview techniques. Taking advantage of all of the resources available to you could be the factor that helps you to edge out in front of the competition.

A mistake that many people make when structuring their CV is putting too much information in. Ideally, your CV should be as short and to the point as possible: 1 or 2 pages of targeted information. Employers don’t need to know your entire history. If you worked in a cafe for a year during university and are applying for a job in finance, it’s unlikely to be relevant. Include the jobs and qualifications that demonstrate your ability to do the role well.

When it comes to structure, everybody’s CV is – and should be – different. There are certain sections that should always be present, for example your personal information, relevant experience, and qualifications. However, as long as this information is there, you can present it however you like to make the greatest impact.

Some people, for example, choose to begin with a quick skills profile: short, punchy sentences that emphasise why they would be perfect for the job. It’s always important to err on the confident and the positive with this – using active verbs rather than passive ones is a good way to start. “I work well to a deadline”, for example, comes across much stronger than “My experience working for a newspaper taught me to work well to deadlines”. Foreground your skills as they are now, and then back it up however seems best.

Equally, it’s crucial to use any information you include to highlight your abilities. This may sound obvious, but it’s a trick missed by many an applicant. For instance, when you are listing your career history it’s vital that you note the relevant skills that you have gained from that experience, rather than just providing dates and names. Remember that it’s only working if it shows that you are a better candidate than all of the other applicants.

Recommended Reading

Twitt

Switch to our mobile site