TOP 10 CV Tips
My team and I have been reviewing more CVs than you can
shake a stick at recently for the roles we are trying to fill. This is a list of
the top 10 things that make your CV work for you,
1.
Don't
make it too long.
3 pages is
a good size. I get board easily.
2.
Don't
try to get to point 1 by using 5pt font.
I don't want to have to use a
magnifying glass
3.
Don't
spend too much time on what the company does.
I want to know about you not
the company
4.
Don't
use terms (TLAs etc) that are specific to the company.
I won't know what
they mean.
5.
Cover
your employment in reverse order. i.e. current job first.
I get bored easily
I might not make it to the bottom
6.
Highlight
keys terms.
This allows me to focus on the areas of the CV that would
interest me.
7.
Have
more than one CV if going for different roles.
Makes sure that I think you
are what I am after, and not a jack of all trades.
8.
Sell
yourself.
Always have a blurb that makes you the best person for the job you
want. Don't forget to do point 6.
9.
Don't
lie.
Its not worth it.
10.
Avoid
lists of technologies and years experience.
Its a bugger to maintain and
doesn't add a huge amount of value.
The bottom line is make it readable and easy to scan. What is easier to read
a large article in a broad sheet newspaper that has many paragraphs or a small
article in a tabloid that covers 1 column.The reason is that the latter requires
little commitment and concentration, you can read it and don't have a chance to
get bored.
The same applies to a CV. If I have to read every line of a CV to find out
what you have been doing then I will get board and probably reject your CV.
Other posts on CVs can be found here How to make your CV stand out and
CVS for IT jobs
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