CV writing – 10 top tips
- Prepare your CV as soon as you can – many employers will ask for one. Your CV is your big chance to make an impression. Make the most of what you’ve got – don’t be shy!
- The ideal CV length is no more than two sides of A4. Make it neat and easy to read. Employers with loads of CVs to go through are less likely to read something long and messy.
- Be very careful if you use AI. It can help you get started and is good for fine-tuning, but AI doesn’t have your personality. Employers are savvy and can spot applications that have used AI heavily. They see them all the time.
- Don’t use the same CV for all job applications. Adapting your CV to the job you’re applying for is vital. Tailoring shows an employer that you’ve read the job description and understood how you would fit the role on offer.
- Find the key words in every job advert you look at and use them in your CV. Employers will pick up on these. Using key words can also help get you through the applicant tracking software many employers now use.
- Key words won’t be the same in each job advert but there are some things to look for. Pinpoint the main tasks in the job and the positive personal skills they mention (things like ‘hard-working’, ‘flexible’ and ‘effective’). Also see if you can spot action words (like ‘demonstrated’ and ‘achieved’) to focus on what you’ve done and the results you got.
- Tailor your employment history to focus on relevant experience. Don’t be afraid to make a big deal of a small job if it’s more relevant to the role you’re going for.
- Before you send your CV to a recruiter, check for typos. Better still, get someone else to check – they may see things you miss. A typo-free CV shows professionalism!
- Even if an employer doesn’t ask for a covering letter, it’s a good idea to provide one. It should complement your CV by highlighting what’s most relevant to the job. It’s another chance to get noticed.
- Take a look at our step-by-step guide on CVs and covering letters. Check Youth Hubs and the Careers Service for more support on CV writing, including CV workshops.
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