Remember me

Register

 | Home  | Contact us

CV writing tips

A good CV is an essential tool for anyone on the job market, whether you are looking to develop a career with an existing employer or seek pastures new as it lies down on paper what you have to offer a potential employer.

It is always best to be prepared, so compiling your CV and keeping it up-to-date is the sensible thing to do, not least because it takes time and effort to prepare a good CV.

CV’s tend to fall into one of three formats for presentation.  It’s essential to consider which format most effectively illustrates your key competencies and abilities as is most suited for the role you are applying for.

1.  The chronological format

This lists your employment history to date and should incorporate the following

  • Your most recent job
  • Details of the company’s name and location
  • Dates of employment
  • Job title
  • Main responsibilities
  • Key achievements

To keep the document short and concise, you should place more emphasis on your most recent role. This also helps to demonstrate a progression in responsibility.

The chronological CV is the simplest and quickest to prepare of the three formats and historically has been the standard format used. If you have been with one company for a reasonable period it can also show stability.

there are, however, disadvantages to this format, for example:

  • If you have changed employers frequently it can leave an impression of instability
  • If you have changed direction or focus too often, it may give the impression that you do not have a clear sense of purpose or direction
  • If your latest position does not support your current direction, or is not your most significant role, it may leave a negative impression
  • Gaps in employment are very visible.  A further disadvantage is that your core skills, attitudes and attributes may be difficult to identify

2.  The functional format:

This lists achievements and relevant experience by function or areas of responsibility such as management, training or project delivery.  Less emphasis can be put on chronological order, or specifics of when and in what role achievements and experience were gained.

The functional CV should include:

  • Experience applicable to the vacancy applied for
  • Achievements applicable to the vacancy applied for
  • Skills applicable to the vacancy applied for

The functional format addresses the disadvantages of the chronological format and enables potential employers to focus on your abilities and experience in light of what they are looking for.

There are disadvantages, though.  For this format to work effectively, you need to have a good sense of what the potential employer is looking for to ensure your CV shows how you meet their requirements. You may also need to adapt and adjust the CV for each job application.

Lack of chronological detail may raise suspicion so you should be prepared to talk through any gaps in your career, or explain precisely where and when certain skills were developed, or achievements made. 

3.  Performance CV:

This combines the best of the functional and the chronological CV formats and is arguably the most suited of the three to the current employment market where there is increasing competition and where employers on average spend just 20 to 30 seconds reviewing a CV.

With this format you should provide:

  • A summary front-page. This is designed to catch the reader’s attention immediately and highlight your strengths while you still have their attention
  • On the page/s behind this you can either give your employment history in reverse chronological order along with your educational background OR
  • You could follow the functional format, providing achievements by function or area of responsibility first, followed by positions held.

A possible format for the front page is:

  • Name, address and contact details
  • A short personal description
  • Your core skills and achievements
  • A brief statement of what you are looking for
  • Other points of interest

Some final thoughts....

One of the most difficult areas when developing a CV is deciding whether to include or exclude certain information.  We recommend you leave out the following:

  • Salary or requirements
  • Hobbies and interests unless relevant to the role you are applying for
  • Personal details such as age, marital status or family details, health, colour, race, nationality, political affiliations, handicaps, or any legal or financial problems

Whatever format you chose:

  • Be true to yourself
  • Use action words, avoid flowery terms
  • Keep sentences short and punchy
  • Keep the document short
  • Wherever possible quote results in numbers
  • Leave out non relevant data
  • Present it well, make it attractive and easy to read

This CV is the hardest statement to put together.  It needs time, thought and know-how but it maximises the chance of catching the reader’s interest and allows you to market yourself more effectively.

For advice on CVs call Elliott Penny Ltd on 0870 7702557 or visit www.elliotpenny.com