CV Tips From Supaproofread

Your CV represents you. It's your sales pitch, your first impression to prospective employers to show them how good you are, after all you need to market yourself so people know about you!

Competition maybe fierce, you'll be competing with a whole host of other people and other CV's. You might be the perfect person for the job, but if your CV is not up to scratch, you'll be put on the reject pile.

Ensuring your CV gets noticed is crucial.

When you send a CV you should always include a covering letter. This letter should explain which vacancy you are applying for and make the reader eager to read your CV. Don't simply repeat the information on your CV; summarize yourself and why you're writing for this particular job.

The Details To Include

You should write your CV with a list of a few headings, this makes it easier for the recruiter to find relevant information, these should be:

Your name, D.O.B, address and telephone number (mobile if you have one)
Academic qualifications (GCSE's, ALEVELS, DEGREES, POSTGRAD DEGREES)
Additional qualifications (Driving licence, Sporting/activity qualifications)
Your work history (current/most recent first and then work back, watch those gaps in time, they will be noticed)
Other achievements (Duke of Edinburgh Award, charity/youth work)
Hobbies and interests
Referees/References

Make Your CV Individual

Depending on what type of job you are applying for will affect on how different your CV is, you may have to emphasise certain sections of your CV for different types of job. You should edit and refine the way your CV looks for every job application.

For example, if you are applying for a job in academia or research, list your qualifications and grades. You may also want to include a short note on any research and dissertations conducted. If your CV is for a less formal audience it maybe best to put your additional qualifications and achievements prominently on the pages so that these are given more weight.

Have a Concise CV

If nothing else, be concise. People reading your CV will be busy and probably have a pile to read through, make it easier for them. Always restrict your CV to a maximum of 2 pages. This doesn't mean you have to leave things out, what you should be is short and to the point. Waffling will only frustrate and annoy the people you're trying to impress.

Check It For Errors & Omissions

Before you send your CV, make sure it's free from errors and containes no spelling errors. 'Take time to produce your document, that should be well written and look professionally.

Can You Spot These Errors?

(There were 3 errors above, containes = contains, there shouldn't have been a ' next to Take, and professionally should've been professional. See how easy mistakes can occur?)

Produce your CV on clear white A4 paper, print a fresh one each time, don't photocopy 10 and send them out, this impression is certainly not what you want to portray.

Ensure you send your CV to the right person, if it ends up in the wrong hands it's sure to go in the bin.