Do you have CV fear? Facing a blank Word document and feeling inadequate? Then read on and start writing. It’s time to show the world just how great you are.
Your CV determines whether you get to interview whenever you apply for any job or internship. So you’ll probably want a pretty good one. But where do you start? It’s worth some time and effort, and there are a few key pointers that can help guide you through the maze of your achievements.
Working with companies to source outstanding executive, graduate and interim talent, Freshminds Talent know a thing or two about writing CVs and have been kind enough to give Smaart Graduate some tips.
1. Remember your audienceThe first thing to remember is that your CV is your one chance to sell yourself. These one or two sides of A4 are the passport to a whole new world, or at least a whole new career in your dream job. So make sure it’s telling your audience exactly what they want to hear. Who are you trying to sell to? Whether it’s a HR manager in a blue-chip or the top dog in a small start-up, your job is to show them why you’re right for this role. The more you tailor your CV, the better your chances will be. Generic CVs are the biggest turn-off imaginable. Your CV might be about you but it’s not for you.
However, while your CV should sell your achievements, it should be accurate and truthful. It may be a cliché, but honesty really is the best policy. Anything mentioned on your CV could well come up in interview, so don’t look a fool by lying or exaggerating. If you feel you need to lie to get the job, chances are this job isn’t for you.
2. Get a structure
Most jobs have more than one suitable applicant. Some have more than one hundred. Your reader will probably be in a rush, so laying out your CV in a clear and logical order is incredibly important. It would be a shame to miss out because your reader gets lost in the reams of your wonderful yet confusing achievements.
So make sure you get everything in date order. As a graduate, it’s all about chronology. You want speedy CV reviewers to see that you are not only great but also structured, methodical and organised in your approach. And you want them to remember your name. So put it up in lights, in a big font at the top of the page with your email address and mobile number on the line below. You probably don’t need your home address to be honest - employers will be contacting you by phone or email anyway.
If you’ve just graduated, place your ‘Education’ section first, directly below your header. On top of the obvious things – university name, degree, result and graduation date – you could include any coursework or modules that are particularly relevant for the role you’re keen on. It’s worth including any academic awards or honours in this section too. Don’t forget to include your A2 Level subjects and grades too. If you completed your exams abroad, make sure you explain what your results mean.
Other sections you should be including are ‘Relevant Work Experience’, ‘Positions of Responsibility’, and ‘Extra-curricular Activities and Skills’. Make sure you describe your level if you note down any languages or IT skills.
3. Make it look good
Next, your CV needs to look sexy. From font and margin size through to bullet points, you should be grabbing the reader’s eye… for the right reasons. Spelling mistakes will get your dream employer reaching for the delete button so check and re-check until you’re blue in the face. Then check some more. It’s always worth getting a fresh pair of nit-picking eyes too, so pass your CV onto friends or family to read over.
CVs with icons, pictures, WordArt and multi-coloured headings should be avoided at all costs! Most employers are turned off by CV formatting frivolity – call them boring but there we go. Use bold, italics and any other formatting capability Microsoft Word lovingly offers you sparsely. It can end up going badly. Simple bullets are useful and bold headings look great – the layout should highlight your accomplishments rather than destroy them.
Finally, Times New Roman is your CV’s worst enemy – keep clear! Use a sans serif font (Arial is a great choice) and keep your font size between 9 and 12 points. One page is plenty for your CV at this stage so use those margins well.
4. Get some great content
Now for the trickier bit. You’ve got a sexy CV but can it deliver the content?
Always use action words. Start your sentences with descriptive, impressive verbs like organised, trained, assisted, developed, implemented.
Make good use of numbers. Why? Because they’ll back up your achievements and demonstrate commerciality. Include percentages, amounts and budgets. Tell the world that you obtained £10k of sponsorship for your society, increased revenues by £20k, handled a budget of £50k or increased profits by 20%. You’re the kind of candidate that makes an impact wherever you go.
Talk commercially. Read job specifications you’re interested in and mimic their jargon (though everything in moderation – you still need to make sense). Talk about revenue, stakeholders, budgets, working autonomously, liaising with senior people, negotiating, and project planning. Many blue-chips now sift candidate CVs by buzz-words so make sure you get your fair share in.
Best of all, be an all-rounder. Many companies are looking for candidates who have got stuck into extra-curricular activities as much as their academic and commercial work. This is particularly true of client-facing roles where employers will be looking for people with personality, drive and leadership ability. Hobbies can be a great talking point at interview and helpful in building rapport with an interviewer. Just don’t put down anything too embarrassing.
5. Get writing!
So now it’s over to you. Take time to work hard on your CV - make it clear, sexy and fill it with great content. Time to get typing!
By Demelza Bowyer Demelza is a graduate recruitment consultant with FreshMinds Talent, helping high flying graduates to find the perfect first job. FreshMinds Talent www.freshminds.co.uk/talent 020 7692 4300
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