Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a fresh graduate eager to make your mark, these tips will empower you to craft a CV that not only showcases your achievements but also captures the essence of your professional journey.
So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s transform your CV into a masterpiece that commands attention and secures that role.
Use a professional format
Structure your CV in a clear and organized manner, using headings, sections, and bullet points instead of paragraphs.
Use a professional font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman etc. and maintain consistent formatting throughout.
*Note that for some industries like IT, bar charts and diagrams may be welcomed but in the Insurance Industry, they are not ideal as they don’t tell the recruiter much about your skills, use your words instead!
Keep It Concise
There is no hard and fast rule for how long your CV should be, although 1-3 pages is usually best practice, depending on your length of time in the industry.
What’s more important is that you are getting the most relevant information across in a clear and concise manner. Don’t remove relevant information from your CV just to shorten the amount of space used.
Your CV is your first chance to make an impression so include what’s important and ditch any excessive jargon or unnecessary details (including photos, marital status, age, how many children you have etc.)
Start with the Basics
At the top of your CV begin with the absolute basics: your name, email address, phone number and location.
Next, you will want to include a brief personal statement or objective, this can be a paragraph or bullet points outlining your key skills, experience, education, and career goals. You can tailor this section to showcase your suitability for a specific role you are applying for if you wish.
List Your Previous Roles in Reverse Chronological Order
As recruiters, our focus lies primarily on your most relevant employment, prioritising your most recent roles over your initial career entry. When detailing your professional experience, present it in reverse chronological order, starting with your latest position.
• Ensure to include the company name, your job title, and precise employment dates, including the month and year.
• Outline your responsibilities in each role, key skills honed during your tenure, alongside any notable achievements.
• Quantify your achievements wherever possible, using numbers and specific results to demonstrate your impact.
• Clearly outline your skills, both hard and soft, that are relevant to the job.
• Include technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and transferable skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
Education and Qualifications
List your educational background in the same way you did your employment history, in reverse chronological order. Include the institution you attended and the degree you obtained, the years you studied there, certifications, and any relevant training/internships.
Hobbies/Interests/Achievements
Once you have gotten the key information onto your CV, you can choose to include a section for any hobbies, interests, or achievements. Think of this as a chance to showcase your personality beyond the professional realm.
Including hobbies can provide some insight into your character, interests, and even transferable skills. Consider activities that demonstrate your well-roundedness or unique talents. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, volunteering in your community, or practising a sport, these hobbies can offer a glimpse into your passions and how you spend your time outside of work.
However, ensure that the hobbies you list are relevant and reflect positively on you as a potential candidate. While it’s great to share your love for extreme ironing or competitive hot dog eating, it’s equally important to balance uniqueness with professionalism.
Proofread and Edit
We are all human and make mistakes. Recruiters read tonnes of CVs every day that emphasize a person’s attention to detail while at the same time, their CV is awash with spelling and grammar errors, missing information, wrong dates of employment, missing contact information etc.
Before submitting your CV, carefully proofread it for errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting. Ask a friend or colleague to review it as well, sometimes a fresh set of eyes can point out something you’ve missed! A well-polished and error-free CV demonstrates your attention to detail, and professionalism, and helps you put your best foot forward.