Creating The Right Impression

Identifying your strengths and being realistic in what you are seeking to achieve with your next career move are the key basics in drawing up your CV.

It is a critical first stage document since employers won’t make assumptions about your capabilities if they aren’t readily apparent in your CV. Numerous studies have shown prospective employers initially look at each CV for between 10 – 20 seconds – this means you have only a small window of opportunity in which make an initial impression.

You could be the greatest manager in the world with the most relevant experience for the job you are applying for, but if it doesn’t come across on your CV then you’ll be overlooked. Harsh may be – but it’s a fact.


A Few Tips On Compiling Your CV Include:

• Tailor your CV to each post you apply for, ensuring you highlight relevant skills against those outlined in the job description. Use specific industry buzzwords from the job specification to underline your suitability and, again, these will vary for each position.

• The document should never be more than three pages long, two pages is the ideal. The first page should contain your full contact details, education, and personal profile which should ideally be in the third person and be no more than five or six lines in length. Ensure it focuses on the position you are applying for and stressing your relevant competencies.

• Always ensure you have all your contact details prominently displayed (your mobile, and an email address is essential!)

• Give brief details (no more than two lines) on each company you have worked for – information about sector, turnover, employee numbers is important.

• Highlight your job title and the time you held the role and provide a brief description of your responsibilities including the numbers of people you were responsible for and budgets etc.

• The main body of the CV should be in reverse chronological order, giving more detail on your most recent experience and summarising earlier roles. Employers are interested in people that can make a difference so you need to demonstrate your achievements. Include those that best highlight your suitability for the role and be prepared to expand on these at interview.

• Stating referees is a personal choice. It isn’t essential at this stage, since they can be provided later.

• Read through your CV carefully. Does it honestly reflect you and your future career plans? Check that it isn’t too detailed and remember to spell-check it. Get someone else to read the document to provide a second opinion.