Wow isn’t creating a CV a horrible task. There are so many questions to be answered.
What format, font, type, and length of CV do I go for?
This is a situation which I am currently facing and I have
spent some time reviewing information on CV’s - the perfect one. At this point I am not sure if it exists as
many recruitment agencies and employers seem to prefer differing types of CVs,
this is why I now have two CVs to choose from.
In my previous job I have spent some time talking to people
about their CV’s and what makes the perfect one so I have previously given
advice on this subject. This is the
first time i am putting my own advice to the test.
So here are my steps to creating your CV
Step One
Start with a blank page – yes it is that simple. Whether it is a blank word document or a
blank A4 page – whatever works best for you. At this point don’t worry about format of
your CV. Just write down your work experience,
write down anything that you have done in your personal, professional and
educational life that you feel contributes to your employment within your
chosen field. It doesn’t matter whether
it takes up 1 or 4 pages, what matters is the fact that you have it all down on
paper.
Step two
Walk away from the document you created above. If you have created the document on your
computer print it out. Bring the
document with you in your purse, wallet, back pocket or just put it somewhere
you can easily come back too. But the
most important thing is to walk away for a hour, four hours, a day. Come back to the document when you think to
yourself “hang on I should put down that I do voluntary work for X
company” or “I really don’t need to
tell them I was girl guide of the year when I was 11” Believe me giving yourself some time, you
will know when it is right to go back to the CV as a whole.
Step Three
As I have said above you will recognise when it is right to
go back and finish the CV and put a format on it. Only do that when you know that you have
right work experience information and educational experience down on
paper. This next step is to separate everything
you have on paper in to categories.
Define is it work experience, is it voluntary work, is it a hobby, is it
educational?
Step four
If you haven’t already started to put this in to a word
document – then start now.
Step five
With all the information now down on paper you just need to
top and tail the information. i.e open
and close it.
So you need your personal information for the top, i.e your
name, address and contact information.
You do not need to put your sex and marital status on a CV. It is illegal for a company to rule against
against you for these reasons but
my thoughts on this is why give them an opportunity to rule against you. Within my previous employment there is one
company within the industry well know for rule against women and married men
for the obvious reason so I would hesitate to put it there – but it is your
decision.
To tail your CV you need references, you have two choices
here. You can say references available
upon request- which means you can chose your references to suit whatever job
you are doing for. Different skills may
call for different people. Or you can choose
two people. If this is your first real
job you are applying for after work experience then I would suggest using a
character reference along with someone you have previously completed work for. Yes, even in a work experience capacity. Make sure your references know that they are
your references so as they are not caught off-guard.
This is your decision.
At the moment I am going for “references available upon request” mainly
because my CV fits nicely in to one page that way.
Step Six
Print it out – how long is it? My recommendation is not to go for any more
than two pages – of course this does depend on your skills that you have
already amassed. However, if it does go
more than two pages – just headline the older jobs that you have previously
held. Give a brief summary of your job
description rather than every little thing that you did. This
also works for one page CV’s as well.
Just headline it! Remember the person who is going to interview you will
ask you more information on specific tasks and this will allow you the time to
give them more information on the other tasks that you completed.
Step Seven
Again, print out your CV and give it to someone to
review. Choose this person wisely,
choose the person who you know has a great attention to detail, great spelling
and grammar. Get them to check the font
size and type ensuring the consistency all the way through the document. Your CV is like handing in an assignment to a
Professor, it must be perfect to get that A+ so chose wisely. Also, remember that any feedback that you
are given, is meant out of kindness and not ill-will. Take the feedback on board, and think to
yourself “are they right?” “do I need to amend this section”
Step Eight
Your Cover letter – this is as important as the CV and the
first point that will help you get noticed.
Remember first impressions last. You
will need to use different letters for each job that you apply for so that you
can tailor your application.
The letter must be substantial in its content. Ensure your tone is pleasant and sincere in
its tone. Your cover letter should
never be more than one page with three paragraphs. Try and find out who is responsible for the
recruitment within the company so that you can address them directly. (Pick up the phone and ring if you don’t
know)
1st Paragraph – Who you are and why you are
writing – include any reference number for the specific job.
2nd Paragraph -
Tell the person you are writing to why you are good for the specific job
you are applying for. Relate to the job
description that you have been provided with and demonstrate how you can achieve
or have previously achieved these core tasks.
3rd Paragraph – Closing statement. Thank the person you are writing too for
considering your application.
Other ideas that maybe useful to you for your new CV and
cover letter.
- Perhaps you would like to put a career or character
statement on your CV. This would be a
statement regarding your previous work history along with how you will fit the
role you are applying for. Place this
under your personal information and keep to no more than 4 lines on your CV.
- When saving your CV on a computer to be emailed – save your
CV as your name and the date of your CV.
This will help the recruiter you are applying to but also a good
archiving and saving method for you.
- If you already have a written reference from someone, why
not add this in to your CV at the references section. Just a few lines which may help the
recruiter with the new position you are applying for.
- Send your CV in a PDF format. Try not use the free PDF software you get online
which provides you with an advertising logo on the front.
- If you don’t have a PDF printer to do this – then save the
document in Word 97 – this will ensure that if someone is working from the
older version of Word that the CV will open.
- Place a photograph of yourself on your CV – not the one from
the drunken Christmas party – but a profressional photograph - this will help your CV stand out alittle
from the standard word only documents.
- Depending on the job which you are applying for it may be
necessary to add your Degrees or licences, if so, scan all these documents in
to one document and send on with your CV as a separate attachment. Again ensure they are titled correctly –
stating your name and date.
Common mistakes on CV’s
- Too long – one / two pages maximum.
- No organisation – information is scattered and the CV is
hard to read.
- Poorly typed / bad paper/printer – this makes it hard for
the recruiter to read so be careful.
- Too little / too much information – don’t go back too far in
your career history. Add in what is
relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Misspellings, typing errors, poor grammar – remember get
someone to check your CV for these errors.
I hope that you find this information useful to you in the creation of your CV. Best of luck with this and if you have any other helpful tips you would like to share - just add them in the comments section.
S
