• 3-minute read
• 6th November 2014

How to Write a CV

Your CV is one of the most important documents you will write. This is because a well-written, professionally presented CV is more likely to secure you the position you want.

Even small errors can make a bad impression when it comes to your CV, so writing it carefully and sending it to a specialist proofreader is a good idea.

Moreover, although your CV should be unique to you, there are some key pieces of information which all CVs require. Here are some tips to bear in mind.

Content

A CV, short for ‘curriculum vitae’, should document your academic achievements, qualifications, career history and skills. It should also include contact information and references.

• Personal Information
  As well as your name and date of birth, a CV should include contact details, such as your address, email and telephone number. You may also want to include a personal statement outlining who you are and your qualities as a potential employee, but this can be saved for the cover letter.
• Education
  Begin with your most recent studies, including any relevant modules studied and the grades awarded, and then work backwards. If you have been to university, you won’t need to go into much detail about your school education, but listing your qualifications (e.g. A and AS levels, then GCSEs) is a good idea.
• Career History
  As with education, begin with your most recent job and work backwards. Include your role and the dates of your employment, alongside the skills you have developed.
• Personal Interests
  If your personal interests or hobbies help to demonstrate skills relevant to the job, mention them briefly. Emphasise group activities which provide evidence of teamwork or leadership skills.
• References
  Include a reference or two (i.e. the name, job title and contact details of someone who is happy to vouch for your abilities) at the end at the end of the document.

Length

Bear in mind that the person reading your CV will likely have hundreds of applications to get through. So that yours is easy to read, ensure that it is succinct.

Do not omit relevant experience, but don’t devote whole paragraphs to a job description where a couple of sentences will do. A CV should not usually exceed two sides of A4.

Formatting a CV

How you format your CV is up to you, but make sure it is easy to read. It is traditional to include personal information at the top of the page before moving on to educational background or career history (depending on which is most relevant), then listing other training, personal interests and references.

Clarity and consistency are crucial. Clarity comes in part from being succinct so that the text in your CV isn’t cramped, but the formatting you apply (font, line-spacing, etc.) is also important. Consistency is a matter of applying one style throughout your document, which demonstrates your attention to detail as well as improving readability.

If you would like to have your CV checked for errors, or to have us look at the formatting, simply upload your document to Proofed today.