CV
Your CV is the main method by which you will get job interviews. It therefore follows that your Curriculum Vitae is a very important document. Hopefully you will have studied chapter two in depth and know exactly how you want to portray yourself as far as skills and abilities are concerned, and know exactly what you are looking to achieve. With that in mind, in this chapter I am going to concentrate on how to put your CV together physically, ie; what information should be contained, where it should be, and how it should be presented.
How To Write Your CV
Before I do so, it is important that your CV contains some sell. The best way to do this is to give you an example. I have seen loads of CV’s during my time in the industry, and it never fails to beat me why people write CV’s like this;-
Professional Footballer – Played in attack. Received ball from wingers and midfield. Passed ball to other attackers, and/or midfield players. Made attempts at goal with both feet and head. Duties included trying to score goals and pressurising the opposition defence.
Mind numbing, isn’t it? Even if you like football! By the way, sorry ladies for using the football analogy, but it does work well. Now this is so specific, I am surprised he didn’t mention the make of boots he was wearing. Many CV’s fall into this trap to a greater or lesser extent. Remember the “banking” example earlier!
It’s like putting your job title down as a technical author, and then the job description as “wrote technical books and manuals”. To put sell into your CV make sure you add accomplishments. Now try this and see how much better it reads.
CV – It Needs “Sell”
Professional Footballer – Played Centre Forward for Watford (oh, all right – Manchester United), being first choice for six seasons. Established a Premier League record scoring 37 goals in 2010 / 11 season. Played four consecutive seasons scoring over thirty goals per season, as well as leading the team with assists. Was also selected for England, scoring seven goals in twelve international appearances.
A touch more interesting, isn’t it? So, the major point is, to make sure you put accomplishments (achievements) in your CV. It is this aspect that will put the sell in your CV, and get you noticed over the competition. I know I keep repeating this, but you have to give the prospective employer as many reasons as possible to call YOU for interview, rather than the competition. I will cover where and how the accomplishments fit in a little later, but bear this vitally important point in mind throughout.