Your CV is one of the most important elements of a job application so it’s important to get it right. Long paragraphs, complex designs and irrelevant skills and experiences will have a negative impact on your job application and could be harming your prospects. Here are 7 ways to format your CV to help you land your next job…
Personal details at the top
It’s really important that your name and contact details feature at the top of your CV. You want to make it as easy as possible for an employer to know how to contact you for an interview.
Your personal statement should come next
A personal statement is an opportunity to summarise your skills and experiences and convince a hiring manager that you’re a good fit for a role. On average, an employer will spend around 30 seconds reading a CV, so a personal statement is a great way to help you stand out and persuade an employer of your suitability.
Add bullet points
Bullet points are a great way to help your skills and experiences stand out on your CV. They will reduce the size of your CV and help to cut out any long unnecessary paragraphs. Bullet points will make it much easier for an employer to find relevant skills in your document and ensure they don’t miss any important experiences.
Easy to read design
Although extravagant and colourful designs will help your CV stand out visually, if the employer can’t read it then you’ve got no chance. Make sure that your CV is easy to follow and an employer knows where your text starts and ends. A complicated CV will harm your prospects - the harder it is to read the higher the chance a hiring manger will miss important skills and experiences.
Prioritise your best assets
It is essential that you put your best assets first. If you have any particular skills or experiences that will help you perform the role more effectively prioritise them, this will ensure they stand out and they aren’t overlooked during the application process.
Stick to the two page rule
Try to stick to the two page rule as far as possible. If your CV can’t be read within 30 seconds you’re putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. Limit your wording to ensure an employer reads everything you have to offer!
Add hobbies and interests last
Your hobbies and interests section should come at the end of your CV. This section is a great way to help you stand out but is not essential to the success of your application. Always prioritise your skills, experiences and qualifications over this section and only include it if you have the space.
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