Every recruiting manager will have their own take on what makes a CV standout and what catches their eye first. Even the most experienced candidate can try to keep their CV to a limited number of pages I would say two or-three is ideal but any more than four is probably overkill.
The Basics: – Clean & Crisp thoroughly checked for spellings and Grammar as no one wants to open a document with red lines all over it. Ensure the Headings are Bold and clear to read with a Document saved in a format that is easy to open.
Correct Contact Details: – Sounds simple but the number of CV’s I see and then call a number that no longer goes to the person is high enough for us to mention.
Personal Profile: I would start my CV at the top with a paragraph or two on who I am and what skills I have in what field and I would highlight the type of role I would like to see my career move forward with. If you are applying for a specific role, then this paragraph should be tailored to that role.
If you have an industry qualification that is relevant, then share this to. From reading the recruiter should have a good idea of what you are looking for in your next career moves.
Education: – if you are at the early stages of your career highlighting your education towards the top of your CV may be the best option as the recruiter looking for someone with the minimum qualification. However, after a number of years in employment or a few job roles into your career we would suggest moving your education to the bottom of your CV.
LinkedIn & Honesty: – If you have a LinkedIn profile and have put the link to your profile then it is important that the chronology of your CV matches your Employment History on LinkedIn. Why lie about the roles you have had and don’t leave things off your CV. Honesty is the best policy don’t listen to people telling you to omit a role from your CV.
Employment History: – Start with your most recent role and work backwards. Don’t just copy the job description given to you as that is not only boring, but it doesn’t show what you as an individual has done in that role.
Ensure your Title, Employment Start and end dates are on (nearest month will be fine). Give a brief introduction on the company you work for and the products or services that you sell. If managing people, how many are in your team.
Consider elaborating on the following:
Who do you call on?
How do you plan a day, week, month?
% of time on new business to account management?
What level of person do you call on?
What are your achievements?
What geographical are do you cover?
Training Courses: – Highlight the specific qualifications you have and when you achieved, here I would also give an overview of what computer packages.
Interests & Hobbies: – These are areas of the CV that I look at specifically when at 1st interview, it’s that Icebreaker questions that could set the tone before getting down to the nitty gritty of the interview.
Example of a CV layout:
When it comes to what to include in a CV and how to structure, there are many ways to lay it out and things to consider and so many opinions. Here is an example of how I would write about my time in a current role:
The Template for a job role:-
September 2006 – Current (Put an end date if you have left)
Sharples Davies Ltd – Managing Director:
Paragraph 1:– Brief overview of the company and products sold, with an insight into your role, are you managing people or responsible for something specific.
Paragraph 2:– Who do call on, how often, how do you plan a day, week month? % of time on new business vs % of time account management, % of time on what customer base. If you call on a customer what level of person do you see., do you use things like ABI leads…
Paragraph 3: Achievements:
Reason for Leaving:
There is no right or wrong way to write a CV because everyone will have different views of what is important to them. The main advice is that Your CV should be an extension of you and you want your CV to open discussions and stand out enough in a competitive environment.
Sharples Davies will always happily give our guidance or can send a CV template with some guidance of what to include for anyone that would find it useful but remember your CV should represent who you are.
