If you've been following my blog you'll know what NOT to do with your CV. Now here are those MUSTS for your Curriculum Vitae that will give you the best chance to get that interview.
Of course, already you have noted the DONTS.
You make your CV different from the others by defining clearly what your achievements in your jobs have been. These are where you have added value to your employer and made that organisation operate more effectively and efficiently. They are much more powerful statements about you than just a list of your responsibilities in your job.
How do you create a statement on your CV that will develop into your achievement? Use the STAR process as follows:-
S - ituation
T - ask
A - ction
R - esult
Get figures in there, real quantifiables and outcomes - and write them and rewrite them and rewrite them. Think about examples of when you have completed a successful project. Have you ever been seconded into a role? Have you increased profits? Have you maximised turnover? Have you changed policies or procedures with positive outcomes? Have you been promoted? Have you received awards?
ACHIEVEMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS. Get them written well and they will sell you to the reader and get you that interview.
You must write your CV grammatically correct with no spelling mistakes. No excuses nowadays with spellcheck on your PC.
Keep your CV to 2 pages, and certainly no more than 3.
You must cover your complete employment history for the last ten years at least. You don't need to have exact months of employment but at least the years. Be prepared to explain at interview the reason for any gaps.
Your CV is what gets you that interview so you must get it right. Otherwise you don't get the interview and don't get that job.
Getting somebody else to help you to write the CV is always a good idea. They can help you, or force you, to be more strict on your achievements and make them strong sellers for you. They can challenge you on the contents because you are probably too close to the information and detail to be over critical of what you have written about yourself. Us British are always loathe to talk openly about ourselves and putting it all down in a Curriculum Vitae is like the worst nightmare for us.
I have read and written many CV's in my time in the Human Resources profession and I'm always here to advise and help.
Next up we turn ourselves to that Job Interview process. The first part of that Blog will be online soon.
(c) Iain Williamson 16.1.10
Of course, already you have noted the DONTS.
You make your CV different from the others by defining clearly what your achievements in your jobs have been. These are where you have added value to your employer and made that organisation operate more effectively and efficiently. They are much more powerful statements about you than just a list of your responsibilities in your job.
How do you create a statement on your CV that will develop into your achievement? Use the STAR process as follows:-
S - ituation
T - ask
A - ction
R - esult
Get figures in there, real quantifiables and outcomes - and write them and rewrite them and rewrite them. Think about examples of when you have completed a successful project. Have you ever been seconded into a role? Have you increased profits? Have you maximised turnover? Have you changed policies or procedures with positive outcomes? Have you been promoted? Have you received awards?
ACHIEVEMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS. Get them written well and they will sell you to the reader and get you that interview.
You must write your CV grammatically correct with no spelling mistakes. No excuses nowadays with spellcheck on your PC.
Keep your CV to 2 pages, and certainly no more than 3.
You must cover your complete employment history for the last ten years at least. You don't need to have exact months of employment but at least the years. Be prepared to explain at interview the reason for any gaps.
Your CV is what gets you that interview so you must get it right. Otherwise you don't get the interview and don't get that job.
Getting somebody else to help you to write the CV is always a good idea. They can help you, or force you, to be more strict on your achievements and make them strong sellers for you. They can challenge you on the contents because you are probably too close to the information and detail to be over critical of what you have written about yourself. Us British are always loathe to talk openly about ourselves and putting it all down in a Curriculum Vitae is like the worst nightmare for us.
I have read and written many CV's in my time in the Human Resources profession and I'm always here to advise and help.
Next up we turn ourselves to that Job Interview process. The first part of that Blog will be online soon.
(c) Iain Williamson 16.1.10
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IAIN