CVs are notoriously boring and difficult to write. Nobody enjoys it and no one is quite sure what to include. Here are my top tips for writing your CV, whether you're starting from a blank sheet, or trying to renew one you haven't used for a couple of years.
1. Link it to what you want to do
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got, was to link my CV to the industry I wanted to get involved in. Since I wanted to work creatively, why shouldn't my CV reflect that? After hearing this, I re-did my CV (with a little help from a friend) so that the format actually showed off my ability to display things in creative, innovative ways.
My current CV is a horizontal PDF which is colourful, succinct, and contains links to examples of my writing. Most CVs are submitted online nowadays, so feel free to include links to things you've worked on, whether that's writing, a website you built, a portfolio of your artwork, or anything else you want to show off.
This also means that your CV will be more memorable than the hundreds of portrait A4 sheets of bullet points that recruiters and hiring managers read every day. And if you're wondering how you can do this if you want to get involved in an industry that isn't so creative, colour is your best friend. Check out some interesing CV designs here and here for some inspiration.
2. Tailor it to the job you're applying for
You've probably heard this a thousand times, but it makes such a difference if you edit your CV to match up to the job you're applying for. Sometimes it can be as little as changing the order things are in so that the most relevant experience or skills are the top of the list, so that people take more notice of them.
By changing up your CV, it shows you've put some thought into what the job is actually asking for. This means it benefits both the person reading your CV, who can see you've put time into your application, and you, because you can research and truly know if you want the job and what the job requires. It can be tiresome to do this for every job, but it is worthwhile in the end.
3. Avoid waffling
You've probably been told this for every essay you've ever written, and that's not going to stop me adding it to this list. Don't waffle. Your cover letter can expand on any experience you're itching to talk about, your CV is intended to be quick and to the point; it's an overview of what experience/education you have and if your skills match the role. It doesn't need to be extensive so just highlight the most relevant parts. This also helps with keeping your CV to the average of 2 sides of A4.
4. Get somebody to proof-read it
I felt awkward for a while about letting people my CV but, as with everything you are putting out in the world, it's super important to proofread. Getting somebody else to proofread is even better.
It's inevitable that we become blind to our own mistakes, so letting somebody look over it for grammar mistakes or spelling errors can be really helpful. Leaving these in makes it look like you don't care, and it isn't particularly professional. Plus you never know, somebody else might be able to give you some pointers on what else to include and what your most relevant skills are.
4. Be honest - and don't exaggerate
It might sound obvious, but the worst thing you can do on a CV is to lie. This includes exaggerating.
You need to be able to answer questions on everything you put on your CV, and trust me when I say there are programmes which help employers find out exactly what your background is. There's just no point in lying because at some point, you will get found out. Whether that's at interview stage or three weeks into the job, it's not going to go well for you.
5. Find opportunities to add to it
When you have little to no experience, it can feel like your CV is kind of pointless - how do you possibly make a part time job and some work experience sound like they've given you valid experience for a "proper" job"?
Well the answer was in my last diary entry - find ways to pad out your CV. There are loads of places online where you can learn new skills; all the information you need is at your fingertips. Maybe they don't result in any qualifications, but if you can say that you taught yourself how to code, or understand online analytics, or create graphics on photoshop, that's going to impress employers. It gives you both a new skill, and proves you have initiative and drive.
6. Update it regularly
It's really easy once you have a job to stop adding to your CV. It's also really easy to forget about learning or qualifications you earned at this job when it comes time to update it. Even if you don't think you're going to move jobs for a while, at the very least write down any courses you do and the dates you complete them - it will definitely help in the future.
7. Don't presume anything
I used to think that programmes like Microsoft Office weren't worth putting on a CV, but it turns out not everyone knows how to use them. Just because something seems obvious to you, that doesn't mean it is for everyone. Add every programme you know how to use - don't say you're competent if you're not, but equally don't undersell yourself. Sometimes beginner knowledge is all you need to get your foot in the door.
8. Include Soft Skills
Soft skills are desirable qualities that don't depend on studying or experience; think team work, positive attitude, leadership or public speaking. A lot like point 7, these might seem like common sense, but not everyone has the skills that you do.
The more soft skills you can get in the better. They don't necessarily need their own section, but when you're bullet pointing previous experience, make sure to use buzzwords that point out you have particular skills. It's also useful if you have examples to back these up, even if you use experiences from school or sports teams it's best you are able to demonstrate anything you write on your CV.
So there are my tips for writing a CV - they're things I try to follow whenever I have to re-write my own CV, and they have definitely helped me improve it over the years from my very first draft. Hopefully they can help you too!
What are your top tips for writing a CV? How do you make yours stand out from the crowd?
Good Luck with the Job Search!
Comments