Your CV should be able to impress your potential employer. So spend time preparing it and get it right. It is nothing but a paper summary of your professional self and what you have achieved. This is the reason it should show why you would be a great hire.
To do this, it needs to be clear, concrete, and confident. It should focus on responsibilities (so they know what you have done) and achievements (so that can see the value you bring).
Everyone will have a slightly different expectation of format but in general, the following structure should help.
Experienced Hires:
1) Personal information
Avoid any unnecessary information. You don’t need to include a photograph, religious affiliation, number of children or even your date of birth.
The only information you absolutely need is Name, Nationality, Email Address, and Phone Number.
2) Employment History
For anyone who has upwards of a couple of years of experience the key thing an employer will want to know is what you have actually done. So start here. And start with most recent first.
First state the name of the company, the role title, and dates in role (Year and Month).
Then write down details of what your specific responsibilities were. What did you actually do in the role.
Make sure that you highlight any achievements that you got awards, recognition, sales uplift, cost savings, new clients. This stuff is gold-dust on a CV. Include anything you can and make it as concrete and tangible as possible.
3) Employment History
Again, start with most recent first as that is likely to be what will be of greatest interest to an employer. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to decide you are what they are looking for.
Communicate the basics: where, what, and when (Year and Month, as relevant).
Highlight any specific achievements like scholarships, GPA, class of degree, certificates, etc. This is slightly less vital for the experienced hire but still useful.
Detail any focus area of study, particularly if it is relevant to your desired career / industry.
4) Other Skills / Qualifications
The key one here is generally languages. Please be genuine. Employers will find out very quickly if you have over-stated your ability. Outline which languages you are familiar with and your level of fluency. If helpful you can split out written, oral, and reading.
The other element that is generally of interest is computer skills. Again, please be genuine. Simply state which packages you have used and your degree of comfort.
Finally, please note any other recent training / development that may be relevant to the industry / role you are interested in.
5) Referees
It is generally enough just to note that referees are available on requests. However, make sure you have one or two lined up before submitting your CV.
New Graduates:
2) Educational History
The principle in CVs is always to put your best foot forward. Therefore for less experienced candidates, lead with your educational achievements. Start with most recent first as that is likely to be what will be of greatest interest to an employer.
Communicate the basics: where, what, and when (Year and Month, as relevant).
Highlight any specific achievements like scholarships, GPA, class of degree, certificates attained.
Detail any focus area of study, particularly if it is relevant to your desired career / industry.
3) Other Skills / Qualifications
The key one here is generally languages. Please be genuine. Employers will find out very quickly if you have over-stated your ability. Outline which languages you are familiar with and your level of fluency. If helpful you can split out written, oral, and reading.
The other element that is generally of interest is computer skills. Again, please be genuine!! Simply state which packages you have used and your degree of comfort.
Finally, please note any other recent training / development that may be relevant to the industry / role you are interested in.
4) Employment History
If you do have any work experience please note it here. It can help you to stand out from other recent graduates and show you have a real understanding of the workplace. Again, start with most recent first.
First state the name of the company, the role title, and dates in role (Year and Month).
Then provide detail of what your specific responsibilities and what did you do in the role.
Make sure that you highlight any achievements that you got awards, recognition, sales uplift, cost savings, new clients. Include anything you can and make it as concrete and tangible as possible.
When you think your CV is ready get a friend to read through it for any spelling / grammatical mistakes that could make you seem less professional than you are.
If your friend can help you to cut it down at all then make sure you are open to their suggestions. The more concise you can make it, the easier it is for an employer to grasp the key points. Make it easy for them to understand why they should interview you by removing anything that isn’t directly helping them to understand why they should interview you.
When applying directly you should always accompany your CV with a cover letter. For tips on writing a great cover letter please see our Cover Letter Advice in the advice centre.
Your CV will also direct a lot of the interview questions. Gaps in career history may need to be explained and accuracy of all the information is critical.
To do this, it needs to be clear, concrete, and confident. It should focus on responsibilities (so they know what you have done) and achievements (so that can see the value you bring).
Everyone will have a slightly different expectation of format but in general, the following structure should help.
Experienced Hires:
1) Personal information
Avoid any unnecessary information. You don’t need to include a photograph, religious affiliation, number of children or even your date of birth.
The only information you absolutely need is Name, Nationality, Email Address, and Phone Number.
2) Employment History
For anyone who has upwards of a couple of years of experience the key thing an employer will want to know is what you have actually done. So start here. And start with most recent first.
First state the name of the company, the role title, and dates in role (Year and Month).
Then write down details of what your specific responsibilities were. What did you actually do in the role.
Make sure that you highlight any achievements that you got awards, recognition, sales uplift, cost savings, new clients. This stuff is gold-dust on a CV. Include anything you can and make it as concrete and tangible as possible.
3) Employment History
Again, start with most recent first as that is likely to be what will be of greatest interest to an employer. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to decide you are what they are looking for.
Communicate the basics: where, what, and when (Year and Month, as relevant).
Highlight any specific achievements like scholarships, GPA, class of degree, certificates, etc. This is slightly less vital for the experienced hire but still useful.
Detail any focus area of study, particularly if it is relevant to your desired career / industry.
4) Other Skills / Qualifications
The key one here is generally languages. Please be genuine. Employers will find out very quickly if you have over-stated your ability. Outline which languages you are familiar with and your level of fluency. If helpful you can split out written, oral, and reading.
The other element that is generally of interest is computer skills. Again, please be genuine. Simply state which packages you have used and your degree of comfort.
Finally, please note any other recent training / development that may be relevant to the industry / role you are interested in.
5) Referees
It is generally enough just to note that referees are available on requests. However, make sure you have one or two lined up before submitting your CV.
New Graduates:
2) Educational History
The principle in CVs is always to put your best foot forward. Therefore for less experienced candidates, lead with your educational achievements. Start with most recent first as that is likely to be what will be of greatest interest to an employer.
Communicate the basics: where, what, and when (Year and Month, as relevant).
Highlight any specific achievements like scholarships, GPA, class of degree, certificates attained.
Detail any focus area of study, particularly if it is relevant to your desired career / industry.
3) Other Skills / Qualifications
The key one here is generally languages. Please be genuine. Employers will find out very quickly if you have over-stated your ability. Outline which languages you are familiar with and your level of fluency. If helpful you can split out written, oral, and reading.
The other element that is generally of interest is computer skills. Again, please be genuine!! Simply state which packages you have used and your degree of comfort.
Finally, please note any other recent training / development that may be relevant to the industry / role you are interested in.
4) Employment History
If you do have any work experience please note it here. It can help you to stand out from other recent graduates and show you have a real understanding of the workplace. Again, start with most recent first.
First state the name of the company, the role title, and dates in role (Year and Month).
Then provide detail of what your specific responsibilities and what did you do in the role.
Make sure that you highlight any achievements that you got awards, recognition, sales uplift, cost savings, new clients. Include anything you can and make it as concrete and tangible as possible.
When you think your CV is ready get a friend to read through it for any spelling / grammatical mistakes that could make you seem less professional than you are.
If your friend can help you to cut it down at all then make sure you are open to their suggestions. The more concise you can make it, the easier it is for an employer to grasp the key points. Make it easy for them to understand why they should interview you by removing anything that isn’t directly helping them to understand why they should interview you.
When applying directly you should always accompany your CV with a cover letter. For tips on writing a great cover letter please see our Cover Letter Advice in the advice centre.
Your CV will also direct a lot of the interview questions. Gaps in career history may need to be explained and accuracy of all the information is critical.
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