10 Top Tips for CV's:
- Three most important things to remember "Only two pages, only two pages and only two pages". Most recruiters only have 30 seconds to scan each C.V. received. Make the document tight.
- Write your job roles down in chronological order, last job first. Spend most of your valuable two pages on the most recent and relevant jobs.
- Do not just cut and paste your job description. Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes, why should they see you? What contribution did you make to your employers? What did you achieve?
- Leave out interests, referees and anything not associated with your experience and expertise. Include contact information (Yes it happens!), your date of birth and don't have any gaps in chronology.
- You and the people in your locality may know that Sproggins & sons are the largest producers of flange grommets in the world. Most of us don't. Put in some words about the scale of the operation. Turnover, number of employees etc. Assume that recruiters need educating about the companies that you have worked for.
- Essential. What was the scale of your role, budget responsibility, and number of people you were responsible for. Be very honest and assume that the data will be checked.
- Would you give the time of day to someone who sent in a C.V. with grammatical errors and miss-spellings? Get someone else to read it!
- Leave out pretty binders, fancy edges, photographs unless requested, referees and any failures. Leave remuneration for discussion or if requested include in the covering letter.
- Do not over emphasise your ability. If languages are required be honest about your level. (Too easily found out!). Don’t ramble! With only two pages bullet points help.
- If you have the opportunity tailor the C.V. To fit the role that you are applying for, take it. If you deal with Quad Consulting ask their staff for feedback on your c.v. Quad want you to enjoy a successful career, we want to help.
Finally, A C.V. is your "sales brochure". The main aim is to get a phone call in response from the recruiter. Don't sabotage your chances with a poor effort.