Even when a recruiter finds you online, they still need your CV to put you forward to a hiring manager. A good one can be the difference between getting an interview and being passed over.
Start with your key skills
Before you write anything, pick out at least five of your key skills and achievements. Have you led a team, or trained apprentices? Are you the person who gets called when a machine goes down? Are you qualified on particular equipment or controls? Write them down, then make sure your CV shows each one.
Read the job properly
Tailor your CV to the role you are applying for. Read the advert and find out what you can about the employer. If a hiring manager can see straight away that you match what they need, they won’t think twice about calling you in.
Keep the structure simple
Put the important things at the top
Hiring managers read a lot of CVs, so put your best at the top. A short profile does this well: a few lines summing up your experience and your key skills, and the kind of role you want next.
Show the difference you made
After your profile, give a few highlights from your career so far. Say what changed because of you: less downtime, a new process that worked, a team you built, a quality problem you fixed. Include numbers where you can.
Two pages is usually enough
Most CVs work best at two pages or less, in this order:
- One line of contact details at the top: name, email and phone number
- A short profile with your key skills and achievements
- Your work history, most recent job first
- Your qualifications
- Tickets, training and courses that matter for the job
Leave out hobbies unless they’re relevant to the job.
Use the words the job uses
Many employers and agencies use software that scans CVs for the skills in the job description, and job boards search for keywords too. Use the same words for your key skills as the advert does, and use them consistently through your CV.
Be ready to explain any gaps
Gaps in a CV are common, but an employer will want to know why they’re there. If you can’t explain a gap on the page, be ready to talk about it at interview. Be honest and positive: a good reason is easy to understand.
Check it, then check it again
When you’ve finished, leave it a day and read it again with fresh eyes, or ask someone else to read it. Spelling mistakes and wrong dates stand out to the person reading it.
Ready? Send it to us
Upload your CV and one of our consultants will look at your skills and experience, and call you when a role suits you.