How to write a great CV

by Sarah Daniels

When looking for a new role your CV is the first impression that people have of you so what it looks like and what it says are hugely important.  A well written and well presented CV could make all the difference between potentially securing an interview or ending up in the rejection pile.

You would be amazed at the number of poorly written, inaccurate and grammatically incorrect CVs that I have seen over the years. If I open a badly presented CV which the author couldn’t be bothered to check properly, I will hit the delete button.  If you can’t take the time to put something presentable together, then you shouldn’t be surprised if an employer won’t take the time to invite you to an interview.  

So what should it look like?

·         Your CV should ideally be 2 pages or for more detailed CVs no longer than 3.

·         It should be typed using the same font and same colour, i.e.black.  Don’t bother with tables, graphics or pictures.  It will just annoy the recruiter or employer.   

·         It should be positive and emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes and how you have contributed to your employers’ bottom line in any way (add figures to support facts whenever you can and use positive action words, for example: ‘implementing’, ‘negotiating’, ‘managing’ etc).