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Are you on the lookout for a new job? A standout CV that’s accurate and up to date is essential. But if you’re not quite sure where to start or how to improve your résumé, don’t worry.
Our five simple CV tips are here to help.
Treat your CV like a work in progress
If you already have a CV, it’s important to keep it up to date. Whenever you learn a new skill or something significant happens in your career, record it on your CV so that you don’t forget it later. It’s much easier and more time-efficient to do it this way. And you should always have a read through before sending it to a potential employer. Revisiting your CV from time to time is a great way to be 100% sure there are no typos or obvious mistakes.
Tailor your CV for each application
If you’re applying for different roles, it might seem like a bit of a pain to have to tweak your CV each time. But trust us, it’s worth it. Before submitting your application, spend an hour or so researching the employer and the role you’re applying for. You’ll get a better idea of the skills they’re looking for, which you can then point out on your CV. The employers will appreciate the extra effort and who knows? It may even land you an interview.
Pay attention to the presentation
While information and accuracy are paramount to a good CV, the way it looks is also very important. Avoid big long chunks of heavy text on your résumé and aim for bitesize, digestible sections in a readable font. Stick to two pages max and keep sentences short for easier reading. Use bullet points and aim for as much white space as possible (without leaving things blank). It will make your CV look cleaner and more visually attractive.
Honesty is the best policy
While it may be tempting to embellish areas of your CV, it’s an absolute no-no. Little white lies about your experience and skillset can become big major problems later down the line. Just imagine the horror and embarrassment of getting caught. Not only will it make you look bad and feel awkward, but it could also result in a very angry boss and might even cost you your job. So don’t lie on your CV. Honesty really is the best policy when applying for a job.
Invest time in the little (but big) things
Making yourself memorable to a recruiter isn’t just about a standout CV. It’s also about the little things that go with it. Make sure your email address is professional (simply your name and numbers will suffice (definitely avoid nicknames)) and give your CV an appropriate file name (something as simple as ‘First name’ ‘Surname’ ‘CV’ looks good). Finally, make sure your CV is sent in Microsoft Word format—the most commonly used format for résumés.
And there we have it! Five simple CV tips that really do make all the difference. Good luck in finding your dream role!
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