Bluestream Recruitment CV Advice
Your CV is a very important document; with it rests your hopes and dreams for that next step up the career ladder, for a new challenge, or for more money, etc. Your CV therefore has to represent the best you have to offer if you do not want to miss out on that 'perfect' job for you. Employers often receive a lot of CVs for each advertised position but what they are looking for is one thing, a document that proves why you’re the ideal candidate to invest their time and money in. Therefore this is your opportunity to market/sell yourself and ensure you stand out from the crowd. You do not need to jazz it up with colourful text and photographs, keep it simply but to the point. Use easy to read Arial or Roman Times, size 11 font, no smaller. DO NOT rush the preparation of your CV it is far too important – take your time and get it right.
Contact details:
Ensure your name and contact details, including email and telephone numbers are at the top of your CV so a potential employer can contact you.
Profile/Personal Statement
One brief paragraph that immediately captures the attention of your reader and entices them to find out more about you. This is an opportunity to let your future employer know what you have been doing and what you’re looking to do next, whilst ensuring you highlight your skills in relation the role you are applying for. We would suggest that you change this paragraph each time you apply for a role.
Education
In reverse chronological order, give brief details of your academic and professional qualifications along with the grades you achieved. If you’re looking for your first job since leaving education, include this information above any work experience, however if you have several years work experience put this after.
Work Experience
List the most recent position first, continuing in reverse chronological order including your job title and the company you have worked for, together with date and month started and finished. Aim to use bullet points wherever possible to highlight your responsibilities and achievements in each role so the person scanning your CV can quickly match up your experience with their job description.
Skills
List your actual skills i.e. IT skills, include programmes used etc – especially if relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Other skills would include languages, or anything specific for the role you’re applying for. DO NOT list good communications skills, good team player etc as this should be reflected under your job roles in work experience.
Hobbies & Interests
List all your interests and hobbies, as this adds the personal touch and can be an additional area of interest to an employer at interview.
References available upon request
Finally ensure that you have no spelling or grammatical errors, as this will not be received well by future employers. Do not rely on spell check and why not get someone to read and check your CV for you, not necessarily a family member, but someone who would be honest with you. If they can relay what you have been doing, and your key strengths back accurately then you have a good CV. Why not ask them what impresses them about your CV and what catches their eye?
