Careers

Let’s start at the beginning. For most jobs there is a Job Description. This includes a person specification with details of the education, skills and experience required. This leads to selection criteria, some of which are regarded as ‘essential’ and others considered ‘desirable’. Consider carefully how you match these requirements. If you don’t meet the requirements in a particular area, think about what other experience or skills you have that could be relevant.

When it comes to applying for a new job, your CV is the first thing we see. It’s a vital part of getting yourself noticed and securing an interview. So how do you ensure your CV is added to the interview pile rather than thrown straight in the bin?

Putting together a successful CV is easy once you know how. It’s a case of taking all your skills and experience and tailoring them to the job you’re applying for. But what if you don’t meet the right criteria? We’ve put together the following tips to help you get started in creating a successful CV.

There is no right or wrong way to write a CV but there are some common sections you should cover. These include: personal and contact information; education and qualifications; work history and/or experience; relevant skills to the job in question; own interests, achievements or hobbies; and some references.

A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented, and printed on clean, crisp white paper. The layout should always be clean and well structured and CVs should never be crumpled or folded, so use an A4 envelope to post your applications.

Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter’s eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.