We understand that writing your CV can seem an arduous process and finding the time doesn’t always seem like a priority.

Ever been bombarded with an elevator pitch? – put it on paper, sell yourself. This is your CV.

Layout: 

• Keep it to two pages
• Standardise your font and text size, watch your spacing. We suggest Arial. 10
• Ensure that your contact details are front and centre – including your name, home address, email address and Contact Number
• *Remember* Do not include your age (DOB), nationality or a photo. 
• Bullet points! This will enable you to avoid large passages of text and steer clear of waffling. Using bullet points and highlighting your experience in short, punchy sentences provides the reader with greater clarity and focus. 
• For complete transparency, it is good practise to include your current Visa Status/Right to Work in the UK. (Add this to the top of the CV) 

Content –

‘Personal Statement’ 

This is your opportunity to really distil the most important elements from your CV and draw the reader’s attention from the offset. 

‘Main Body’ 

Here you can really ‘show off’. Let’s face it, we have all been in a one-way conversation where the person opposite you is content in telling you every single hilarious anecdote or situation they have ever experienced. In these situations, we often find ourselves fighting to remain engaged in the conversation, with a blank expression on our face, ultimately waiting for the person to stop talking. Think of your CV as a one-sided conversation in which you are trying to maintain the reader’s attention throughout. So, make it stand-out and packed full of relatable and engaging content. 

A CV is effectively a sales document. In this situation, you are the product, and you are actively on the market. Give yourself the best opportunity to be seen and ultimately hired. 

The fact of the matter is a great CV increases your chances for an interview. In turn, giving you greater control of the process in the long run by signposting your experience. 

Prioritise your most recent experience as this will be the most relevant to the reader. Be explicit, and really emphasise the value that you added to your current company/role.

A great way of doing this is to emphasise your results rather than solely your responsibilities. You can do this by using quantifiable data (facts/figures/numbers/types and sizes of assets) to truly demonstrate your ability and really catch the reader’s attention.

By no means are we condoning breaking NDA’s or confidential information but, if the information is in the public domain, it’s fair game!

Education 

You should present your educational background in reverse chronological order (i.e., the most recent first). 

‘Interests & Hobbies’

It is easy to diminish the importance of highlighting and emphasising your interests and hobbies. 

You may be asking yourself, why are my personal interests and hobbies relevant? Why would an employer take notice of what I like doing in my spare time? Shouldn’t my CV be strictly professional? 

The simple answer is that your outside interests and hobbies can help to distinguish yourself from your competitors. 

This is your chance to show evidence of your personality outside of the confines of the office. 

To be blunt, you will be spending more time of the year with your colleagues than you will with your own family. For this reason alone, finding the right dynamic and personality fit is of paramount importance to your future employer. To quote Ric Lewis [Founder and Co-Chief Executive of Tristan Capital Partners], ‘You spend 70-80% of your awake life at work – you want to work with people you like, trust and want to be around. Creating a culture which reinforces winning in a comfortable manner is an important part of being a successful company’.

After all, who wants to share a desk with an unimpassioned or zestless individual for 256 days a year!  

Should you need further help on how to write a ‘Killer CV’, please follow the link here to access a great example!