CV tips

 The Purpose of a CV

The Chronological CV

The Functional CV

The Targeted CV

How to Construct a CV

How to Write a CV

The job of the CV

Your CV is the marketing tool that introduces YOU to potential employers.  And you don’t have very much time to do it. Your CV must attract immediate interest or it will land on the reject pile without ever being properly read. 

Here at Agewise Recruitment we have spent many years developing approaches to constructing the most effective possible CV.  This was one of the reasons why we were selected by the DWP to deliver training workshops to assist newly unemployed professionals and executives make successful applications.  

An effective CV is NOT a ‘curriculum vitae’ (literally the course of your life) -  it is NOT a straightforward outline of your career life to date.  The company hiring is looking for the person who is the best fit for the job. It is essential that the CV should demonstrate a close match to the skills and experience set out in the job specification.

To succeed, your CV must be targeted to the job.  You can highlight different achievements, and change the weighting you give to relevant posts, to reflect the most appropriate experience to the requirements of the application. Choose the CV format that allows you best to demonstrate ‘fit for purpose’.

Remember, the purpose of the CV is to secure an interview.

Constructing a CV - format

WHAT FORMAT SHOULD YOUR CV FOLLOW?

There isn’t one sure fire format that will guarantee success. Having an adaptable approach to utilising an appropriate CV format is more likely to allow you to mirror the requirements of the post, particularly if the role is not one you have done before. 

Don’t confuse Format with Layout. 

The Chronological CV

The historical CV is the traditional way CVs are constructed.  A list of your jobs, dates and responsibilities.  In reverse order – most recent first!

This works well if your career history shows a consistent path and you are applying for a job that is easily recognised as a logical progression from your work history.

The Functional CV

Based on skills and competencies, it concentrates on achievements grouped under generic headings.  Each provides a mini profile without necessarily referring to specific jobs.

A function-based approach can be a good way to instantly identify abilities that correspond to those required by the job.  It needs skilled handling to ensure that it is backed by solid evidence of experience and not mere rhetoric.

The Combination CV

Mixes the Chronological and Functional approach, and can give most flexibility.  Typically starting with an outline of Skills and Achievements and then giving a chronological list of jobs and positions with dates.

The Targeted CV 

The targeted CV is aimed at a specific job.  It analyses the job specification and fashions a CV that reflects relevant experience and skills for that particular role, using whichever format best achieves this result.

Having an adaptable approach to utilising an appropriate CV format is more likely to allow you to mirror the requirements of the post, particularly if the role is not one you have done before. 

Constructing a CV – layout & design

Building blocks

A CV is made up of a number of sections, such as contact details, education and work history.  These are the building blocks that are used to construct a persuasive marketing document.  They can be put together in various combinations, placed in a different order and given assorted weightings.  The way you utilise these building blocks will give a different emphasis to your CV, and enable job-specific targeting.

• Contact details
• Education
• Training
• Skill set
• Employment history
• Achievements
• Interests (optional)
• Profile

We’ll be exploring how to approach these building blocks regularly in the blog.

How to write a CV

CV essentials:

• Your CV should be no more than two pages in length.
  • Don’t try and cram in everything you’ve ever done. Be selective. Use bullet points and avoid repetition.
• There is no excuse for spelling or grammatical mistakes.
  • Use spell check and take care.  Carelessness will say more about you than your achievements do.
• Be accurate and truthful.
  • Don’t be tempted to stretch the truth to hide career gaps.  Remember, everything on your CV must be true, but you don’t need to include everything on your CV.
• It should be easy to read and well laid-out.
  • Avoid gimmicks like cute logos and too many type fonts.

5 CV sins:

• Don’t use obscure terminology.
  • Your CV may be read first by a generalist in HR.
• Avoid using ‘I’ too often and don’t refer to yourself in the third person.
  • Say, “Effective communicator”, not “I communicate effectively” nor “Steven is an effective communicator”.
• Don’t mention your partner, children, age or marital status.
• Don’t list every temp job with all their responsibilities if you want a permanent post.
  • Summarise temporary assignments if you have had loads of them.
• Resist the temptation to make your CV too personal. The employer isn’t interested in you, but in how you match the job specification.