A good CV – CV Writing Advice

A good CV is vital and one of the most frequent questions Senex Recruitment hears when talking to candidates is “Does my CV Work?”.  For many job seekers Writing a CV can often be an intimidating and daunting task to approach. We recently gave careers advice on CV writing which you can find here. In our concluding article on CV writing we are going to address what makes a good CV. Highlighting, the areas you need to focus on to ensure you get every chance to be invited for that job interview your application and experience deserves.

Every job application you make will be different. Often the recruiter or employer will spend only a short time assessing your CV. It can be a glance at your current job, employer and title, coupled with a cursory assessment of your qualifications. Following this initial sift your Curriculum Vitae may end up being analysed at a later stage, and with certainty will be the basis for the interview. In contrast, some employers will spend considerable time perusing your CV, and will build an initial impression of your profile even before you are even selected for interview.

Therefore, it is essential that your CV covers all potential situations. Certain fundamental criteria must be met. From, accurate spelling to good grammar, to a strong, clear layout and the use of a professional font it is vital to make a confident and precise decisions about your Curriculum Vitae.

Is Your CV Tailored to the Job Role?

Taking the time to compare your CV to the job you're applying for is important. Although do consider if the job you are applying for is within your capabilities. Often, if you are having to tailor your CV too much, the role is not a match for your skill sets. Do not attempt to apply for job roles that are not within your capability. A tailored CV should provide emphasis, not attempt to “put a round peg into a square hole”.

If the role is right for you do tailor your CV by highlighting relevant points at the top. While downplay irrelevant areas and expand on the sections that complement the job description. Remember, your Curriculum Vitae is a tool to get you an interview. Include enough detail to meet the job criteria, demonstrate your relevance, and intrigue the reader enough to want to learn more about you.

Is Your CV Brief and Clear?

Avoid using overly complex language, special fonts, profile pictures, or other distractions. Aim for a CV that is two pages, with a maximum of three. While, remembering that relevance and information is the most important part of a Curriculum Vitae. As soon as you start using “padding” then your CV is probably complete. I.e. The expression “works well individually or as part of a team” sound significant but means very little.

Use bullet points and write in concise, sharp sentences. Focus on what you did in each job using facts, examples, and clear language.

Leverage headings and bold fonts to make key information stand out. Analysis has shown that Employers and recruiters spend 80% of their time on:

• Name
• Location
• Current title/company
• Previous title/company
• Education
• Current title/company start/end dates
• Previous title/company start/end dates

Avoid business jargon and acronyms that might confuse the reader. Ask friends who work in different industrial sectors to highlight any unclear sections in your CV.

Is Your CV Free of Mistakes?

Mistakes on your CV are a deal breaker. Get it checked by at least two other people. Errors can lead to an instant rejection. The job market is competitive, so don't let easily avoidable mistakes cost you the opportunity. Also, ensure you have a professional email address. Addresses that could be controversial will not make a good impression. A smart trick is also to save your CV with a relevant filename for the job and company you are applying for. Crucially, it shows attention to detail.

Only include social media profiles if they showcase your professional experience and ability to do the job. If in doubt, suspend personal accounts and start a professional one when job hunting. Include these on your CV for ease of reference. However, do note that documents using hyperlinks can be treated as spam.

Even if you do not include social media profiles remember that one of the first things a recruiter or employer will do is check your social media profiles and history.

Are Work History Gaps and Job-Hopping Explained?

If you have gaps in your CV, explain them briefly. If you've had multiple jobs or temp roles, clarify this on your Curriculum Vitae. Don’t leave it to the recruiter to guess or wait for a face-to-face explanation, which you might not get. Use cover letters or emails for further clarification and detail temp or contract roles clearly.

Have You Used figures and Examples to back up your job skills?

Listing relevant skills and job experience is good, but showing the impact of your work is even better. Instead of just detailing your duties, explain how your actions benefited previous employers. Did you cut company spending or increase sales? Highlight these impacts clearly on your CV. For example it is vital for these job postings for a Sales Manager Senex Recruitment are recruiting for in Hailsham and West Malling.

By following these tips, you can create a CV that not only stands out but also increases your chances of getting that all-important interview.

CV Writing advice is part of Senex Recruitment's career advice

This news article on is part of the careers advice we offer.

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Getting CV Writing Advice from Senex Recruitment

Senex Recruitment is here to help you through your career and job search in the Science, Engineering, Technology or Manufacturing sectors. We will always offer support and guidance through every stage of your job search including offering CV Writing Advice and can personally appraise your Curriculum Vitae when you register with Senex Recruitment.

You can register as a candidate here, or search for latest jobs in STEM here.

Our consultants are available to help you and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about CV writing or the STEM job Market.