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How to Write a CV
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a CV; it will vary depending on the role you are applying for and the content you want to include. Having said this, some key areas will likely be included within a traditional CV – all of which will be covered in this article.
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Key Points:
- A CV is a summary of your education, experiences and skills to date
- A CV should be no longer than two A4 pages
- Ensure your content is relevant to the role
- You should have a clear and professional format
- Your CV is a reflection of you – make sure it’s a good one!
What is a CV?
A CV is a summary of your education, experiences and skills to date. It is usually submitted at the initial stages of an application however, in some cases may not be reviewed by employers until later in the process (e.g. following online tests). A traditional CV is usually a text-only document whereby you present your education and experience in reverse chronological order, relating specific skills directly to the specification of the role.
This article is going to be focused around the ‘traditional’ CV. Whilst it is a good starting point for this type of CV, they are very much down to the interpretation of the recruiter, and in some cases, other types of CV may be preferred, e.g. a creative CV.
What Should a CV Include?
A CV would typically include the following:
- Contact Details
Name, address, email, phone number, LinkedIn
- Personal Profile
This is your elevator pitch, if you will. It’s a brief summary of your key experiences and attributes that make you suited to the role
- Education and Qualifications
Education and qualifications should be listed in reverse chronological order. If you have obtained a higher education, it is probably not necessary to list all of your GCSE grades, only your grade range and core subjects, e.g. Maths, English and Triple/Double Award Science
- Work Experience
Work experience should also be listed in reverse chronological order, with dates of employment included. Highlight the skills and responsibilities that are transferrable to the role you are applying for
- Key Skills and Achievements
Give insights into any additional skills and achievements that are relevant to the role
- Interests
Again, best if these are suited to the role you’re applying for. They must be legitimate as the employer may ask you about them!
Formatting Tips
- Use sections, headings and bullet points
It has been reported that the average time it takes to do an initial screening of a CV is 7.4 seconds (Ladders, 2018). With such little time to impress, your CV must have a clear structure and layout, making it easy to pick out important pieces of information. If employers can’t find what they’re looking for, they won’t hang around searching for it!
- Keep the font consistent throughout
Pick a professional font that is easy to read and keep it consistent throughout. Font sizes should be kept between 10 and 12
- Ask somebody to check your spelling and grammar
Ask a friend, family member, teacher etc., to proofread your CV. When you’ve read your work multiple times, it’s easy to miss simple mistakes
- Save as PDF for emailing, unless stated otherwise
Unless the employer states that your CV should be sent in an alternative format, e.g. word, be sure to save your CV as a PDF. This ensures that the format will remain the same, regardless of the device it is viewed on
References
2018. Eye-Tracking Study. [ebook] Ladders, p.2. Available at: <https://www.theladders.com/static/ images/basicSite/pdfs /TheLadders-EyeTracking-StudyC2.pdf> [Accessed 20 April 2022].
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