Whoever reads your CV will usually decide within moments whether to read on. Small details can make the difference, so check yours against this list before you send it.
If you’re starting from scratch, our guide to writing a good CV covers the layout. This is a checklist for the details.
The dos
Tailor it every time
Find out what the company does and what the job involves before you send anything. Then adjust your CV so the experience that matches the role comes first.
Give dates for every job
List your jobs with the most recent first, with start and end dates for each. If a short spell was a temporary contract, say so next to it. Otherwise it can look like a job that didn’t work out.
Use strong, active words
Describe your work with words like managed, supervised, led, improved and achieved. They show what you were responsible for, not just where you worked.
Make it easy to read
Use one clear font in black, keep the text aligned to the left, and leave space between sections. Plain and tidy is easier to read than a clever design.
Put your name and email on every page
CVs get printed, forwarded and mixed up with other people’s. With your name and email on each page, nobody has to guess whose it is.
Use a sensible email address
First impressions count. If your personal email address isn’t one you’d want an employer to see, set up a simple one with your name and use it for job applications.
Check it, then ask someone else to check it
Read it through for spelling and grammar, then ask someone you trust to read it too. Mistakes stand out to an employer.
The don’ts
Anything that counts against you
Your CV isn’t the place to explain why you left a job, an exam you didn’t pass or a business that didn’t work out. Leave these out and keep the focus on your skills and experience. If they come up at interview, answer honestly.
Your pay expectations
Leave pay for later. By the interview, the employer knows more about you and you know more about the job, so it’s a better time to talk about it.
Skills the job doesn’t need
A long list of skills is easy to skim past. Keep the ones that matter for this job, and give an example of where you’ve used each one.
Every module you studied
List the qualifications, tickets and training that matter for the role. The employer doesn’t need every module from your course.
Personal details
You don’t need to include your date of birth, gender, marital status, ethnicity, or whether you have a disability. Employers should decide on your skills and experience, so leave these out.
A photo, unless one is asked for
A photo isn’t needed. Let your CV make the first impression, and save meeting face to face for the interview.
Anything that isn’t true
Dates, qualifications and references are easy to check. Be honest about what you’ve done: it’s also the version you can talk about with confidence at interview.
We can help
When your CV is ready, upload it. One of our consultants will read it and call you when a role suits you.