Put yourself in the shop window with these top tips on writing your CV

Perfecting your CV is an important part of landing your dream job.

Here are some top tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

How long should a CV be?

Without exception, most recruitment professionals agree that a CV really shouldn’t be any longer than two pages.

However, that doesn’t mean that your CV must be two pages in length as less is more if it means keeping the content relevant to the role.

Two pages should be more than long enough to include all the necessary and important details but short enough not to bore the reader.

As with anything though, there are and will be exceptions to the rule.

People in certain occupations, such as academics, often tend to have much longer CVs.

What should you include in your

CV?

Always remember that your CV is akin to being your personal shop window.

You want to have enough relevant information that’s of interest to the recruiter so that they feel compelled to offer you an interview to find out more about you and your suitability for the role.

But never, ever be liberal with the truth.

It will always catch you out in the end – often at the interview stage.

So be honest and you’ll find the whole application and interview process far easier to follow.

Top dos and don’ts

▪ Do include your personal details, including name, address, phone number, email address and any professional social media presence should be clear.

▪ Don’t add your date of birth as it is no longer needed, owing to age discrimination rules.

▪ Don’t include a photo unless you think it is necessary to support your application – a photo is only essential for jobs such as acting and modelling

▪ Do showcase your career achievements – in particular you should include evidence of how targets were exceeded and ideas created.

▪ Don’t leave gaps in your career history.

Many people have periods of unemployment and leaving a gap will only arouse suspicions.

It’s best to come clean and explain it. Even if you took time out because of illness, or to travel or to look after a loved one, be honest and include it in your CV.

▪ Do tailor your CV so that it’s relevant to the job that you are applying for. In other words, make sure you highlight the skills and experience that you believe the employer will be looking for.