7 Top Tips to CV Success!

karlmontgomery • January 3, 2017

How do you make your CV stand out in a sea of applicants? Here are 7 top tips to make your CV shine.

1. Get the basics right

Its vitally important to get the basic information on your CV correct. Any errors will be glaringly obvious to your potential employer. Spelling mistakes or date errors will make your CV look unprofessional and undeveloped. It’s also important to use a professional sounding email address as this is the most popular way for employers to contact you. Littlemisschatty@hotmail.com won’t get you very far in the professional game. Also check your address and phone number are correct, overlooking mistakes at this stage may lose you work. Your personal information should be in a prominent position at the top of your CV, this makes it easy for the potential employer to contact you.

2. Tell the truth

While the chance to embellish your CV may seem appealing in competitive world of applicants, this will only create trouble for you later. If you use false information on your CV this can be considered fraud. Not only that when your employer finds you unable to fulfil the role or the truth comes out it could cost you your job. It’s much better to be truthful on your CV even if you are applying for something you feel under qualified for.

3. Think about layout/presentation

All too often the presentation of a CV is overlooked, a long CV with pages of blocks of writing will mostly look unappealing to a potential employer. It’s worth thinking about how you can make your CV stand out. Think about the font you are using, stick to clear and simple fonts, fussy ones will be harder to read, making it less likely to get read!

4. Length

Whilst it’s easy to try and increase the length of your CV to make it look like you have achieved more, remember most hiring managers will only skim over on first look. A CV divided into neat sections will be much more readable than a large block of text. Use headings to define the important areas and keep paragraphs short. Employers are more interested in the facts rather than lots of waffle.

5. Up-to-date

If you haven’t updated your CV since your last job then now is the time to refresh it. A CV that is in reverse chronological order will be more relevant as it highlights your most recent jobs. Don’t forget to check your address and phone number are still correct. Out of date information may leave you uncontactable.

6. Tailor it to each job application

Although it takes time to tailor each application to the job you are applying for it will weld much greater success in getting you to the interview stage. Use key words that feature in the job advert in your CV as these buzzwords will be what the employer is looking to tick off their wish list.

7. Include a cover letter

A cover letter is your first chance to shine and capture a potential employers interest. Take the time to make each cover letter personal to the job you are applying for. If possible address the letter to the person at the company who will be looking at your application, this shows you have taken the time to research the company.

If you feel your CV is letting you down and you require help Recruit Mint can help you with both a CV and a covering letter.

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