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Best Practice for Any CV
A CV is a sales document. No question. Before you send a CV to a prospective
employer get a few independent (i.e. not close friends/family) business people to look
over your CV. Even better if that person has a track record of interviewing and
recruiting. Avoiding spelling mistakes is a given:
Suggested Layout
1.
Personal Details – name, current address, e-mail and mobile number at top of
the page. Ensure you have a personalized greeting message on your mobile so
anyone calling can be sure they’ve got your phone. Equally, only provide a
home or work number if you are certain the right image is conveyed if you do
not pick the phone up (kids at home, barking dogs in the background etc.). Age
discrimination regulations means you are not required to provide your date of
birth.
2.
Profile Statement – the ‘elevator pitch’ in writing if you like – a short statement
that captures the essence of you as an employee. What you are, your particular
strengths / uniqueness as a candidate and what you have to offer that sets you
apart from others applying. Short, concise and impactful is the guide. Here is an
example ‘a commercially astute management accountant with 15 years
experience in the financial services industry with a proud track record of
delivering bottom line returns to senior management and shareholders’.
3.
Career History – start with your most recent job and work backwards (hence
the term chronological CV). Limit to past ten years as chances are what was
learnt more than 10 years ago will no longer be relevant. Focus has to be on
your skills/competencies and achievements. Key question to ask yourself “why
have been 2 or 3 really proud moments in my career to date?”
4.
Qualifications and Education – start with the most recent first and keep in
mind the relevance of those qualifications/training courses in relation to the job
you are applying for. Employers will place great importance on minimum
criteria’s for certain jobs so avoid this at your peril.
5.
Continuing Professional Development – Employers will want to see a track
record of continuous personal development to ensure you are sharp on current
industry practices and latest thinking. Again, keep very relevant to the job you
are applying for. Add any professional memberships you may hold.
6.
Personal Interests – if you feel you have personal interests that add weight to
your employability (i.e. school governor role, council representative etc.) and
demonstrate skills then include. Avoid the novelty factor.
Always ask yourself the question “So what?” for everything you include on a CV – what
is the key message you are trying to relay to the future employer – if you can’t answer
that question, leave the information out as it is not relevant.
Please visit our Contact page and we would be delighted to receive your questions from
you and further support your career if you cannot find what you are looking for. We can
happily send through best practice example CVs.
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