Your CV: Key Pointers
A well presented CV can be the crucial to unlocking countless professional opportunities. Use our key pointers below to enable you to showcase your skills, qualifications and experience, and demonstrate your commitment and professionalism to make a lasting impression.
It starts with you!
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Providing a comprehensive and well-organized CV ensures that employers can effortlessly access the necessary information, streamlining the selection process and enhancing your chances of success.
Caroline Evans
Resource Coodinator, Engage Technical Solutions Ltd
What to Include
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Include your full name. If possible give 2 or 3 methods of contact i.e. Address, Telephone Number, Email, LinkedIn Profile
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Detail your career history, key skills and qualifications.
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List any professional affiliations, personal certifications, industry awards and publications.
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State any training you are currently taking or have undertaken.
Create your perfect CV
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Formatting
Set out your CV in defined sections with headings to make it easy to read: Contact Information, Personal Statement, Work experience etc. Pick a clear font and stick with it all the way through. If you choose to use colour to help define sections, keep it simple, do not use fussy designs.
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Contact Information
Include your full name, professional title, email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile and home address. Having this information clearly laid out will make it easier for the employer to contact you.
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Personal Statement
The Personal Statement is your first chance to present yourself. Using around 100-150 words, give relevant information on your career to date and an overview of any applicable qualifications. Try to use phrases appropriate to the job role and a brief explanation of why you would be the ideal candidate.
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Professional Experience
Start with your most recent role and list below all previous roles chronologically descending. Include job titles and at least 5 points explaining your responsibilities and achievements per role. Be sure to include any budgetary numbers or values that support and demonstrate achievements.
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Academic Experience
If you have post-secondary education, limit the education section to include just that. Don’t mention your secondary education, unless it’s your highest degree of education. List your academic experience stating the Subject, Qualification type (i.e., Degree), Graduation year (if you’re still studying, enter your expected graduation date), the place where you studied (the University Name), and Grade/Classification.
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Key Skills
Like the Personal Statement, this can be amended to suit the role. Scan through the job description and search for skill-related keywords. Match these skills against your own, list them separately, or blend them into your Personal Statement. Showcase successful examples of using these skills in your Professional Experience.
