CV Advice

All job searches begin with a great CV.

Recruiters and employers receive an average of 200 applications per role so it is crucial that your CV stand out from the crowd.

We have three CV templates available for you to download – one for experienced workers, one for people have a small amount of work experience and one for school leavers. These template provide a basic layout that you can use, but you still need to ensure the content is engaging.

Don't forget to check out our blog which is regularly updated with advice on searching for a job.

Here are our ten tips for writing your CV.

1. Ensure your contact details are clearly marked at the top of the page and that you use a sensible email address.
2. Use short sentences wherever you can. You should also avoid using unnecessary words – employers want to be able to see the information as quickly as possible. For example:
1. I was the Sales Manager and I was responsible for recruiting and managing a team of 12 people across our offices in UK, France, Germany and Switzerland.
2. Hired and managed 12 sales staff across four European locations.
3. Use 'keywords' wherever possible. These will be specific to each industry and but can include things like: sales, business development, operations, product management, finance manager, IT support, systems integration, machine operative, warehouse operations, freight management, accounts assistant, CRM management. Think about your skills and then use the correct words for that.
4. If you have a date gap in your CV try and use the Personal Statement to explain this. You may have had extended maternity/paternity leave, been self-employed for a while or taken a career break. It is better to explain that than leave a gap.
5. Never include salary details or expectations. Your CV is not the right place for these.
6. This is an obvious one, but you should triple check your CV for spelling and grammar errors. If you can have someone else proof read it then that is even better.
7. Do not be afraid to have several versions of your CV saved. Each job is different and you can make subtle changes for each different type of job you are applying for.
8. Remember that you are a specialist in your field – the recruiter or HR manager reading it may not be. Try and keep your terminology relevant yet simple.
9. Presentation matters. Download one of our CV templates for a sample.
10. Last but not least, keep your CV short. Two pages is enough.