Written by Emily Odd
Your CV is your very first opportunity to make a great impression on potential employers. A well-structured, professional CV can significantly increase your chances of landing that dream interview. Whether you are looking to update your current CV or start from scratch, we have made a list of key tips to create a CV that truly highlights your skills, achievements, and experience.
- Keep it Clear and Concise.
Now this might sound obvious, but this is the most crucial piece of information when writing up your CV. Hiring Managers and recruiters often have extremely limited time to read and review applications, so your CV should be easy to read and straight to the point. Ideally, one or two pages is perfect, and you should use a clean, professional format.
Tips:
- Use a professional font, such as: Arial or Calibri, size 10-12.
- Structure your CV with clear headings and bullet points for easy scanning.
- Avoid unnecessary details and focus on the relevant information.
- Start with a Strong Personal Statement.
Your personal statement (or professional summary) is the first section that employers see. It should briefly introduce who you are, what you offer and what you are looking for.
Example:
“An initiative-taking marketing professional with five years of experience in digital marketing, specialising in social media strategy and content creation. Enthusiastic about driving brand engagement and delivering measurable results. Seeking an opportunity to apply my skills in a dynamic company.”
- Highlight Key Skills.
e a skills section that displays your most relevant abilities. Tailor this to the job description to demonstrate that you are the right fit.
Example of key skills:
- Project Management
- Customer Service
- SEO & Content Writing
- Data Analysis
- Team Leadership
- Focus on Work Experience
Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). Include your job title, company name, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements.
Example:
Digital Marketing Executive
XYZ Company, Jan 2020 – Present
- Developed a content marketing strategy that increased website traffic by 45%.
- Managed social media campaigns, leading to a 25% boost in audience engagement.
- Analysed campaign performance and presented insights to senior management.
- Education and Qualifications.
List your academic qualifications, certificates, and relevant training courses. Include the name of the institution, qualification obtained, and dates attended.
Example:
First Class Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
University of London, 2015 – 2018
- Add additional sections (if relevant).
Depending on your experience, you might want to include additional sections such as:
- Certifications (e.g. Google Analytics, Project Management Certifications).
- Languages (e.g. Fluent in English and Spanish).
- Volunteer Experience (if relevant to the role).
- Proofread and Format Professionally.
Spelling or grammar mistakes can make a bad impression. Double check your CV for errors and consider having a family member or friend review it or use software like Grammarly to check for mistakes for you before sending it out to any potential employers.
Final Checks:
- Save your CV as a PDF to maintain formatting and avoid accidental edits.
- Ensure all contact details are correct and up to date.
- Tailor your CV for each job application by highlighting the most relevant skills and experience.
Finally, a strong CV can make all the difference in your job search. By following these tips, you can create a compelling CV that helps you stand out to potential employers.
Good luck on your job search ☘
The 4Recruitment Services Team.
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