As you might expect, after a decade working as recruiters, we frequently encounter this question. We come across outstanding examples and, at times, CVs that leave much to be desired.
We've all heard the adage, "you have just 6 seconds to capture an employer's attention." With this in mind, I'd like to share some dos and don'ts and a straightforward structure to help you craft an effective CV.
Let's begin with the Dos:
Keep It Simple: Avoid excessive details about your daily tasks. Include your tenure at the employer, job title, utilized skills, and a brief job overview.
Reverse Chronological Order: This is crucial but often overlooked. Place your most relevant experiences at the top of your CV to ensure they catch the reader's eye.
Highlight Your Skills: Regardless of your opinion of recruiters or potential employers, they need to find you easily. Make sure to showcase your top skill sets.
Show Your Personality: Differentiate yourself from other candidates by injecting some creativity if you feel it's appropriate.
And now, the Don'ts:
Avoid Overwhelming Length: Limit your CV to a maximum of three pages. Remember, there will likely be numerous applicants for the position. A 27-page CV is unlikely to be read or relevant. It's like using a flamethrower to deal with a fly.
Don't Overshare Personal Details: While it's good to include hobbies and interests, exercise caution. Mentioning unconventional hobbies like 'Snakes and Weapons' may not create the best impression on potential employers.
Ditch the Template: Discard generic templates. Use this opportunity to showcase your unique qualities. Hiring managers can easily spot template CVs, which are often subpar anyway.
So, how do you write an effective CV? While this is subject to interpretation, I believe this structure works well:
Personal Details:
Name, Address, Telephone Number, Email – That's all you need.
Overview:
In three sentences, introduce yourself, state your profession, and describe your career goals. Write this section in the first person.
Key Achievements:
List 4 or 5 points you're proud of. These serve as talking points during interviews and are impressive to potential employers.
Key Skills:
Consider using a table or more bullet points here. Focus on "Hard Skills" or core skill sets. Avoid mentioning basic skills like Microsoft Office or Facebook.
Work History – (Most Recent First):
For each job, include the company name, dates, and job title as headers. Then, provide a brief 3-4 sentence description of the company, your responsibilities/projects, and the skills you utilized.
Education:
Present your educational qualifications in reverse order. While it's good to showcase degrees and higher qualifications, detailed test results from your distant past are unnecessary.
Hobbies and Interests / Personal Information:
Share a bit about your interests and what motivates you. This helps build rapport and provides insight into your potential fit with the team. However, exercise caution and avoid mentioning unusual hobbies.
References:
Simply mention, "Available on request."
Formatting:
Make your CV visually appealing by spacing it out and using a professional font. Subtle colors can be effective for headers, but avoid overuse or unprofessional fonts.
While it might not be your idea of the "perfect resume," this format is concise, well-structured, highlights your skills, and offers a glimpse into your personality. Remember, a CV is a snapshot to open doors. Highlight your best attributes; the rest can be explored during the interview.
If you need assistance or have any comments, questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. We welcome your feedback and inquiries.