Writing a CV to maximise your chances of being noticed – hints and tips to get you to the next round!
Curriculum Vitae (CV) is latin for ‘course of life’, and a resume is typically a shorter summary of your key skills, education, and experiences, and is generally prepared with a specific job in mind. When organisations ask for a ‘current CV’ to accompany your application it is Pipeline’s experience they are asking for a resume. The key point is it must be tailored to the position you are applying for.
Approach your CV preparation as a new opportunity to market yourself. Spend some time understanding the requirements of the role and the organisation and write! Use these tips to get you started:
Basics:
- provide your contact information (including location) clearly and on every page
- be completely factual
- include a short professional summary and focus it on your ‘value-add’
Language:
- use Plain English (and there is a fabulously helpful organisation called ‘Plain English Foundation’)
- avoid using pronouns (I, me, they, her…)
- avoid long sentences and chunky, dense blocks of text’
Format:
- always write in first person
- use lots of space around your information – it draws attention
- use a standard font and a standard size
- avoid the use of colour
- be consistent
Technology:
show you are confident using networking services, and add a link to your professional profile
What’s in (Jobs):
- current job first (reverse chronology)
- specific date range
- specific job title and level
- achievements (for each job)
- clearly state your achievements, or the difference you made
- quantify your claims where possible
- be results focussed
- clearly state your achievements, or the difference you made
- wherever possible, make links to the advertised position
Education:
- most recent first
- be clear on when you finished it (or if it’s still in progress)
- if ‘Education’ is a mandatory requirement, move this to the front of your CV before your work history
Skills and Particular Strengths:
- special capabilities you’d like the reader to note
Boards, Committees and Volunteering
- include name, your role and date period
Referees
- this is a chance to easily show your network and connections
- include only those who are recent
