Get on the right path to a job with these top CV Tips says Gosia Banach, parent Employment Adviser

  1. A CV has one function, to get you an interview with a particular employer. So make sure it sells you well.
  2. It has to show why YOU should get their JOB, so make sure your CV matches their requirements. Once you have the basics in place it should not take too long to tailor your CV each time, but it will make the difference.
  3. It’s far better to send out ten great, well thought out CVs than it is to send out 100 of the same CVs. You get results when you put effort in. If you spend 10 seconds sending a CV it’s quite likely whoever looks at your CV will take 10 seconds to see it doesn’t match the job properly.
  4. Too many CVs  contain strings of meaningless adjectives that cover as many bases as possible in their allotted two sides of A4. You may well be honest, hardworking, punctual and energetic with a will to learn. But just ask yourself – is there anyone out there applying with a CV that says “I am lazy and a bad time keeper; curmudgeonly and antipathetic to work.” No. So, use more VERBS and fewer adjectives.
  5. Your CV needs to be more interesting and relevant than another person’s CV as you will be competing with a lot of people for the job.
  6. Always have the job advertisement beside you when you write your CV up. This is the best reference you will have and then you can use it to match your CV up with the job. Don’t copy word for word what the advertisement is asking for as this will not help you either. If an advertisement asks for a skill or experience and you have it – put it in!
  7. Your CV should be a maximum of two pages long. An employer doesn’t spend large amounts of time looking at CVs and if your CV is too long or it’s unclear then it may be ignored.
  8. Be consistent with the font, use simple and easy to read layout. Use bolds underlines and italics sparingly.
  9. Keep in mind who reads your CV. Is it a Chief Executive? Probably not. It could be any person within an organisation from a receptionist right to the top of the company. So keep it simple so that everybody can pick up your CV and read it.
  10. There is no need to add your marital status, gender, date of birth, nationality or even your address on your CV (especially if you live far away from the advertised job).