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CV Advice

Your CV is your personal sales tool and passport to a new job. It is important to get it right as a prospective employer will initially judge you on it.

Content

There are no strict rules for writing your CV, but you should consider the following:

  • Personal information - Name, address, email and telephone number
  • Profile - A summary of your strengths and achievements
  • Technical skill set - List your current skills in order of strongest skills first
  • Career History - Put in reverse chronological order ie your current/most recent job first. A concise paragraph or bullet points of your responsibilities and achievements for each role will be enough.
  • Education - Again, reverse chronological order with qualifications and grades
  • Professional Training Courses - A list with qualifications gained
  • Hobbies and Interests - This is optional and should be kept to just two or three lines
  • References - Just put "Available on request"

Writing your CV

  • Make your CV as clear and simple as possible - keep it brief and to the point
  • Keep your CV to no more than 2 pages if possible
  • If there are any gaps in your CV between jobs it is best to explain these
  • If some of your roles were temporary or contract roles, you should state this
  • Use active verbs such as managed, developed, created, coordinated to describe your skills and achievements
  • Make sure your presentation is business like and easy to read - no waffle
  • Don't add your photograph or information about your family or children - it's not relevant
  • Don't use fancy graphic images/type styles/symbols (unless you're applying for a graphics role)
  • Make sure you are honest about your skills and qualifications - you will be found out at reference stage!
  • It can be useful to adjust your CV when applying for different jobs - you can highlight the skills and experience that would be most relevant to the role and this can improve your changes of success.
  • It is essential to spell check and proof read!

K2 Recruitment Ltd (t/a Downtown Recruitment) is a member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation. Registered office address; Units 1 & 2, Field View, Baynards Green, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX27 7SG. Registered in England and Wales No. 03331758. VAT No. 687 3952 75.

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