Top 10 tips for writing a successful CV
- A CV should be clear, concise and written in good English. Some companies will disregard a CV with spelling and grammar mistakes, and as it is the only tool you have to open the door to interview, it should be written with care and attention to detail.
- A profile at the top can be useful. An introductory paragraph about you as a person will immediately give an employer a snapshot of your background and career motivations.
- If you are technical, try and avoid tech-speak except under the Key Skills and Technical Skills headings.
- Balance your CV to showcase your niche/technical skills with your business acumen. Many employers value both equally.
- The Key Skills section should be exactly this, a concise list of skills both technical (where relevant) and business-related. You should also highlight achievements and projects of which you are particularly proud, or which are especially relevant to this position, so the person reviewing the CV doesn’t have to work to find your information.
- Do not list every niche/technical skill you have ever acquired, however impressive they are, as this will distract the reader. Refer to the job vacancy to remind yourself of the skills the employer is looking for.
- Try and include information about how long ago you last used each of your niche/technical skills. The reader will be looking at how current your knowledge is. A skills matrix can be useful for viewing this at a glance. Remember employers will often have to sift through several CVs at haste, so make your CV clear and relevant.
- The format should be laid out under clear headings, and be easy to read. Avoid colours, patterns and elaborate fonts, even if you are a graphic designer. Your CV is a business document, and your creative skills will be demonstrated in your portfolio.
- Remember your interpersonal skills are also important, and not just if the role for which you are applying is client-facing. Managers want to know that you can communicate, that you can see the business objectives as a whole and where your role fits in to the bigger picture.
- Finally, always include a covering email explaining where you heard about the role and why your skills and experience are a good fit.
Micross Recruitment specialises in the placement of IT professionals in permanent roles across Wales. An affiliated consultancy of IT specialists Micross IT, Micross Recruitment was formed in January 2008 through the desire of a number of like-minded, forward thinking individuals, who wanted to provide a highly professional recruitment service specifically for IT professionals. For more information visit www.micross-recruitment.co.uk
|
