Your CV is the most important starting point for you to market yourself to potential employers – as a marketing document you need to ensure it is clear, concise, relevant, has a unique selling point (USP) and is personal to you.
To begin
Don’t pull your hair out we have all been there and although it may seem difficult to start with – you will soon develop a creative flow. Play around with a few CV templates and find a style that works for you. Then consider the following:
- Use positive statements and an enthusiastic tone – use an active tense such as managing rather than managed and facilitating rather than facilitated.
- Talk through your demonstrable experience – giving workable examples.
- Avoid generic statements such as “good communication skills” and actually demonstrate how you have used the skills effectively to achieve something or get something done.
- The space you devote to a matter suggests the importance you give to it. Be careful not to dedicate half a page to education and a line or two to your achievements or role remits.
- Account for all gaps in the CV – if you took a year off to travel; that is fine just ensure you list it.
It is very important to make a good first impression – remember you are not the only person applying for the job! You will have competition and if you are not a strong contender – your CV could be rejected within 20 seconds of being viewed.
- Make sure the job you are applying for is something you can realistically do – take care to place emphasis on the skills required for the role.
- Address the application specifically to the name on the website / advert and write a cover letter matching up your relevant experience.
- Put in the effort to make sure you are selling yourself in the best light.
Here are some links to articles which you will find useful moving forward: