At the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 there was the highest level of resignations the UK ever had there will be an increased amount of people applying for new jobs in the next few months.
So how do you write a winning CV?
Make sure that your CV stands out and is at the top of the list!
There are many different ways to structure a CV and this can change depending on the type of job that you are applying for. My preference, as a recruiter, is short and to the point where it's easy to pick out the key information / keywords that you're looking for.
In my opinion, for any role that DOES NOT require a qualification, this format works for me:
Personal information (name, number, email address, location, maybe a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one), ensure that your contact information is upto date and correct.
Quick intro/personal statement (if you wish) to give a brief overview of your objectives and what you are looking for.
Straight into career history! Start with the most recent role first, ensure you list all of your responsibilities and achievements and the dates of employment are current (and match your Linkedin profile, if you have one). For me, bullet points work to list responsibilities so that it is easy to locate the key information. If your current position is sales/KPI/target focused, put your figures on your CV, it really helps to show your commercial brain.
Next, education. Add as many qualifications as you can, where you got them and when (if you can remember!)
I will leave it completely up to you whether you want to add a hobbies and interests section. Personally, I am not sure how many people actually read them anymore? (You could also have the opposite effect you are looking for if you add something that the hiring manager really isn’t into as they may feel that team fit wouldn’t be a good match.)
What may be a better idea is a skills section, where you rate your own ability in various key areas that are relevant to the role that you are applying for. I have seen some great graphs and graphics displaying this information.
References - NEVER put the details on your CV! Just write - Available upon request.
If you are applying for a position that DOES require a specific qualification or degree, then my advice would be to switch the education and career history section around and highlight the fact that you have that straight away as it is a deal breaker to being considered for the role.
Remember, the quicker people can identify the information that they require, the more likely your CV is to make it into the shortlist!
I hope this helps!
