CV Advice

Preparing your CV

Your CV and covering letter might be the first impression a prospective employer has about you – It’s your sales literature, so take care to present it in a clear easy to read format.  Your main aim is to draw out all your relevant education, employment history and achievements but keep it honest and concise.  We advise that your CV should ideally be no longer than 2 pages, your aim is to ‘whet the appetite’ of the employer and secure that first interview… not bore them to tears!!

Our CV top tips

Name, address & contact numbers
Ensure your name and address is clearly shown and remember to make it easy for potential employers to contact you by listing all of your contact details– e.g. Home phone number, mobile number and  e-mail address

Personal Profile
This should be a brief paragraph that utilises positive phrases to highlight your skills, qualities and achievements

Key Skills
Depending upon personal preference you may prefer not to include a personal profile but to list your key skills or achievements in bullet point form.  This is particularly useful if your work experience is target orientated such as sales or business development.  You can clearly list major targets and sales and essential skills needed for such roles

Employment History
Start with your most recent position and work backwards.  Long paragraphs can be off putting to employers – so bear this in mind.  The further you go back in your employment the less information you need record – unless of course it is particularly relevant to the role to which you are applying for.  

Education
Again, start with your most recent (i.e. Masters, Degree or Further Education courses). Also remember to include any other training courses you may have attended relevant to work.  You only need go back as far as secondary school.  If you are members of a professional body – list these here too.  You may be asked for verification of these memberships/qualifications if they are a prerequisite for the position you are applying for.

Interests and Hobbies
This is your opportunity to show your prospective employer what activities you enjoy and any passions that you have. Be selective and truthful – you never know what your interviewer may pick up on, so you must be able to speak confidently about anything you put down on paper!

References
References are a topic of conversation.  It is preferred to simply state ‘references available on request’.  This way, you the applicant, remain in control as to what point and who has access to your referees - particularly if you are sending a number of speculative CV’s out.  They won’t want to be your referee if they are bombarded with requests from prospective employers before you’ve even been invited for interview! 

Covering Letter
You  should always send a covering letter or e-mail when you send in your CV. This should act as an introduction and clearly state which position you are applying for and include a reference number if appropriate. Look at the vacancy you are applying for and make it relevant, and suggest that you would like the opportunity to meet face to face.