CV Guidance

Your CV is a personal statement; it should be used to sell your skills, experience and personality to your prospective employer. Your CV will be the first thing that a potential employer will see. You need to make sure that it quickly makes an impact and allows them to form a positive first impression about the kind of person and worker you are.

Why Do I need a CV?

Your CV is the first stage of the recruitment process. Employers will receive a large number of CVs from candidates applying for the same position. They will sift through these CVs and create a shortlist of applicants they wish to interview. There is a high chance that the successful candidates will be appointed from this first list of interviewees.

The stronger your CV, the better chance you have of being successful in your application. Because of this, it is important that your CV reads well and contains all the relevant information about yourself and what you can bring to a career with this potential employer.

CV tips

Remember...

• To explain any gaps in your employment history. Unexplained gaps will raise questions and potentially deter employers if not explained
• Be prepared to tailor your CV to certain jobs, remember no 2 jobs are the same!
• Ensure that your CV is easy to read. Stay away from hard to read fonts or using multiple fonts. Use a standard size font and make sure the layout is reader friendly. If your CV is hard to read, the employer will lose interest quickly!
• Have a friend proof read your CV to get a second opinion - they may spot things that you have missed