The first step in writing a good CV is to determine your objective. You must tailor your CV to the job in mind.
A well-written CV will get you an interview quickly, whereas a poorly written CV may result in you not even receiving a rejection, but simply never hearing about the role again.
So, in 2022, there are a few things you should do to make the most of your CV and demonstrate to prospective employers why you are the only candidate for the job.
This guide will provide you with our best advice on how to write a good CV that gets noticed.
What exactly is a CV?
'CV' is an abbreviation for 'Curriculum Vitae,' a Latin phrase that literally means 'course of life;' it is a brief account of your education, qualifications, and previous employment. It is how you present yourself to the outside world, the world of work. It is a form of personal marketing, so make sure your CV presents you in the best light possible.
Remember that writing a CV is often only one part of the application process; a cover letter and a completed application form may also be required.
What information should I include in my curriculum vitae?
A CV's format is adaptable, and many different styles are used. The content of your CV should be tailored to the job in question. There are also elements that most employers would expect to see:
Name, professional title, and contact information
The title of your CV should include your name, professional title, and contact information.
Don't bother with a heading like 'Curriculum Vitae'; the heading should be your name; anything else is a waste of space when creating your CV.
What contact information should I provide?
All that is now required is an email address and a phone number(s). There is no need to include your address, nor should you include your age, nationality, date of birth, or marital status. These are optional.
Feel free to include a current professional profile, such as LinkedIn.
Here's an example of how your header could appear:
Surname | Forename | Professional Title
Municipality, County
Phone: 01234 567890
Email address: name@example.com
Personal profile
This is just a few lines about you, who you are, what you hope to accomplish, and your objectives. If possible, tailor it to the job you're applying for. The individual described in your Personal Profile (you) should appear to be the ideal candidate for the job.
Work Experience and History
This is your chance to really shine. Include previous positions, experience, volunteering, placements, or internships. You should list them in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Your most recent position should be the most important to your potential employer.
Each item should include:
Employer information, job role/title, employment dates, and no more than three to four lines describing what you did in that role. The STAR method should be used to identify significant accomplishments. Active words like 'planned,' 'built,' and 'created' can help you describe what you've accomplished.
Here is an example of how each item might appear on your CV:
mmm yyyy mmm yyyy
Name of the company, location
Title of Role
Outline
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Principal responsibilities
Top Tip:
If you have a lot of experience/previous positions, you don't have to include roles from more than ten years ago unless they are especially relevant to the job for which you are applying.
Education
Again, the most recent is listed first, in reverse chronological order. This should include the following for each item:
Qualification from an institution (school, college, university, etc.) with grades/distinctions, etc.
Attendance/completion dates
As a result, this section may appear as follows:
If you have a degree, it is a good idea to list a few relevant modules, projects, or assignments underneath.
Sections that follow
If you have space, or if they are particularly relevant to the role for which you are applying, you can include additional sections for things like:
Key Competencies
When creating your CV, take advantage of this opportunity to include some key skills (also known as soft skills' or 'core skills') that are extremely relevant to the job you are applying for.
Things like experience with a specific piece of software or application, courses you've taken, or anything else that will help you land your dream job.
Interests and Hobbies
If you use this section of your CV, try to keep it interesting. Include unusual hobbies that contribute to your suitability for the position. Avoid common hobbies and interests such as reading, walking, and so on.
Make sure you draw on and list your unique interests.
Achievements
Your accomplishments are significant things you've done in the roles you've held. Going above and beyond the responsibilities or tasks of those roles.
When submitting a job application, emphasizing your accomplishments can help you persuade the company that you'd be an excellent fit for the position.
Candidates with more advanced careers may be able to emphasize professional accomplishments, whereas entry-level candidates may need to focus on academic awards.
Referees/References
This section is no longer expected, but if you want to include it, feel free, but you can always just add references available on request' or leave it off entirely when creating your CV, would be our general advice.
Formatting and general guidelines for creating an effective CV
Keep it short - two sides of A4 is the standard length for a CV in the UK, but depending on the circumstances (the job or sector you're applying to, or your experience level), a single page or up to three pages is also acceptable.
Headings - Similar to this piece, clear headings for your CV content make things easier to read and digest.
Save it as a pdf for the best overall readability - this can be done in most word processing software, such as Word and Google Docs, by 'printing to pdf'. You can also use a conversion tool, of which there are many available online.
Font - Clear, legible fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri are ideal - definitely not Comic Sans!
Body text should be 10 to 12 point, and headings should be 14 to 18. Make sure it's readable; don't cram too much in or reduce the margin size; standard margins should suffice.
Proofread it - from personal experience, have someone else proofread it and then go over it again. Ensure that the font and layout remain consistent throughout. Don't brag about your attention to detail only to have a glaring typo in your CV!
Tailoring and keywords - If you're applying for a job you really want, make sure your CV is tailored to the position and includes relevant keywords.
What is an ATS?
Applicant Tracking Systems are bots that read and frequently reject up to three-quarters of CVs before a human even sees them. They use an algorithm to select the best and most relevant CVs and place them on a shortlist for human review. We have specific advice on how to beat the ATS.
Get it right and start applying
If you get your CV right the first time, you may find a job faster. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and that is with your CV!
So, take our CV advice and get creative. The better and more relevant it is to the role, the more likely you will be offered an interview, so after following this guide and creating a winning, powerful CV (tailored to the role you are applying for), you can then take the next step and upload your CV to apply for and hopefully secure your next job.
