Top tips for the best CV

We are always on hand to help and advise people when it comes to recruitment - be that with someone looking for a job, someone looking to recruit a member of staff  or someone simply asking for a helping hand. In the midst and the wake of the Covid-19 / Coronavirus pandemic, we want to help you get the most out of your CV when job hunting. Craig Dootson, Head of Division, gives us some of the most valuable tips when putting together your CV:

Contact Details

Believe it or not, we see so many CVs come through with no contact details on them at all so make sure this is the first thing you do – and make sure they are accurate. Include your phone number and email as a minimum - it’s advisable to add your full postal address too.

Chronology / Dates 

It’s really important that the chronology of your work history is accurate. This will be used to compare against references and it is important that dates match up; this isn’t a deal breaker but it gives the right impression. Start with your most recent role, this is one of the first things recruiters look for anyway. 

Which Order?

I like work history / Qualifications towards the top of the CV, in essence you have a short time to let the reader know that you have the skills for the job and work history will play a key part of this so it should be front and foremost.

Stick to the Point

Keep introductions succinct, challenge yourself to get all of the information you want into a short paragraph or with bullet points so it is easy to read. Once you start cutting unecessary words out, it's amazing how much you can say in a small space.

Keep it Relevant 

Tailor your CV for every job you apply for – every role has a different focus and your CV should be highlighting how you fulfill those specific requirements. You can do this by making it obvious in your employment history where you have used the skills which the job advert / specification requires.

If you need further assistance in getting yourself 'CV Ready', please do not hesitate to contact us. If you would like to talk to someone about a job or are looking to recruit, please click here or call 01772 555530.