How To Write An Exceptional CV

Ten of the Best CV Writing Tips To Get You That Dream Job

Getting through the CV sift is a challenge. Not only do you need the decision maker to read your CV, they need to like what they see. Here are ten of the best CV writing tips to get you that interview. 

  1. Start with a clear and concise personal statement that highlights your strengths and experiences. Make yourself stand out, a few lines of your very best self. 
  2. Tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for by including relevant skills, experience, and achievements. Where your skills match the employers job description, make it easy to see this. 
  3. Use bullet points and short sentences to make your CV easy to read and to highlight key information. The first and last paragraphs are the most important. Nail those to get the attention on the middle. 
  4. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements (e.g., “increased sales by 20%”). Be prepared to validate these at interview. Blow your own trumpet, you are of course selling yourself. 
  5. Include your education and any relevant certifications or training. The key term here is relevant. Think carefully about including off piste qualifications or certifications. No one really needs to know you are a qualified ballet teacher for a rocket scientist job. 
  6. Highlight your relevant work experience, including job titles, dates, and responsibilities. Focus on the experiences that you can relate to the position you are applying for. 
  7. Use keywords from the job description to make sure your CV gets past any automated screening systems. Keep it relevant, but using the employers own language is a great way to get noticed. If anything that you read their job advert. 
  8. Use a professional and easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and stick to a simple and consistent layout. Ask someone to look at your CV for 10 seconds. If they can’t tell you 5 things about you in that time, you might want to consider the font and how easy to read it is. 
  9. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and have someone else review your CV before submitting it. Nothing worse than an obvious grammar or spelling error on a CV. Particularly if you write “I have an eye for detail” somewhere on your CV. 
  10. Be honest and authentic in your CV, but also make sure to present yourself in the best possible light. Remember you are selling yourself. Be prepared to validate all claims about your successes and capabilities. 

Remember, your CV is your chance to make a strong first impression, so take the time to craft a high-quality and tailored document that showcases your skills and experiences. Spend as much time as you need on each application. Rushing a CV or using the same CV repeatedly doesn’t give you the best chance of success. Good luck. 

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