How To Write a CV That Gets You Noticed
Writing a CV is often the first step in your job search journey. A well-crafted CV can open doors to interview opportunities and set you apart from other candidates. Let's explore how to create a professional CV that showcases your skills and experience effectively.
What is a CV?
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed document highlighting your professional and academic history. In the UK, a CV is the standard document for job applications, unlike some countries where CVs are primarily used for academic positions. Your CV should present your skills, experience, and achievements in a way that demonstrates your suitability for a specific role.
Essential Elements of an Effective CV
Contact Information
Begin with a clean, professional header containing your name, phone number, email address, and general location. Keep it simple but ensure all details are current and professional. Your email address should be straightforward – ideally a combination of your first and last name.
Professional Summary
Start with a strong professional profile that captures attention. This brief section (3 - 4 lines) should highlight your key strengths and what makes you unique as a candidate. Tailor this for each application to match the job requirements.
Work Experience
Present your career history beginning with your most recent position. For each role, include:
The company name and dates of employment
Your job title
Key responsibilities
Specific achievements with measurable results where possible
Focus on accomplishments rather than just listing daily tasks. This helps employers understand the value you brought to previous roles.
Educational Background
List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include degrees, professional certifications, and relevant continuing education. For recent graduates, highlight specific projects or studies that developed transferable workplace skills.
Key Skills
Combine technical capabilities with interpersonal skills relevant to your target role. Provide brief examples of how you've applied these skills in real situations to add credibility.
Professional Presentation
Layout and Formatting
Aim for a clean, consistent format that's easy to scan. In the UK, CVs typically run two pages for most professionals, but can be long
er depending on the years of experience and types of roles held previously. Use a professional font like Arial or Calibri, and maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Using generic descriptions that could apply to anyone
Including too much personal information
Spelling and grammar errors (always proofread carefully)
Using an unprofessional email address
Leaving unexplained gaps in your employment history
Tailoring Your CV
Each job application deserves a customised approach:
Research the company and role thoroughly
Include relevant keywords from the job description
Adjust your professional summary to match the position
Highlight experience that directly relates to the role's requirements
Different CV Approaches for Career Stages
New Graduates
If you're just starting your career, emphasise your academic achievements, internships, and relevant coursework. Show how your education has prepared you for the workplace.
Career Changers
When transitioning between industries, focus on transferable skills a
nd explain how your previous experience applies to your new chosen field. Connect the dots for employers to show why your background is valuable.
Senior Professionals
For advanced positions, demonstrate leadership impact and strategic thinking through specific examples and quantifiable results. Focus on your most significant achievements and management experience.
Handling Career Gaps
Employment gaps are increasingly common and nothing to hide. Whether you took time for personal growth, family care, travel, or education, there's a professional way to present these periods.
Be straightforward while focusing on the value gained during your time away from traditional employment. Briefly explain gaps in your work history section, highlighting any transferable skills developed during this time.
For example: "2022-2023: Professional Development – Completed Digital Marketing Certification and led community project"
Tips on Making Your CV Stand Out
Use powerful action words to describe your achievements
Include specific, quantifiable results where possible
Maintain professional formatting throughout
Update regularly with new accomplishments and skills
Ask a trusted colleague or friend to review it
Getting Expert Support
Creating an effective CV requires skill and insight. If you're struggling with your CV or want to make sure it's as strong as possible, professional support can be invaluable.
At Select Recruitment, we see hundreds of CVs each week and understand what makes employers take notice. Our specialists can help you present your professional story in the best possible light, highlighting your strengths and achievements in a way that resonates with employers in your target field.
If you're looking to refresh your CV or need guidance on presenting your experience effectively, get in touch with our team. We combine our recruitment expertise with your experience to create CVs that get results.