Why you need a well-written CV | Key points to creating an effective CV
                                  Common mistakes | What now? 



Why you need a well-written CV:

A CV is an all-important first impression and selling tool. It is essentially a document that has to convince a prospective future employer that you have the necessary educational background and skill set and that you are worth interviewing for a particular role. It must be more than a chronological history of your life; it needs to be corporate, concise and relevant, conveying your skills and experience in the most effective way possible.



Key points to creating an effective CV:

Experience tells us that there are several key points that make a successful CV. With all of these, bear in mind that accuracy is essential - do not be tempted to over-elaborate on your career.

• Length
  Keep your CV as brief and as relevant as you can. The optimum length for a CV should be two sides of A4, allowing explanation of the roles and duties performed in one's career, yet being concise enough to be perused quickly.
  
• Neatness/Style
  Make sure that everything on your CV is spelt correctly, that the grammar is precise and that the CV does not look too cluttered or too spaced out. Bullet points are often an excellent way of breaking up a long piece of text and catching the eye.
  
• Content
  You can use language to create a good impression by using positive action words such as 'implemented', 'launched', 'developed', 'reorganised', etc. whilst avoiding tenuous words like 'liaised' that make an employer question what your role was in the process. Show where you added value and how your career skill set advanced as a result.
  
• Format
  The way that you structure your CV is vital to presenting yourself in an effective manner. At Finance Professionals, we have found that there is a standard form that employers like to see.
  
• Content
  These are general guidelines on what should be included in all CV's but bear in mind that if you are replying to a specific advert or role, your CV should be adjusted to bring out the strengths that relate to that role and organisation in particular. In other words, tailor your CV appropriately.
  
• Personal Details
  The following all need to be included in this section: name, address, contact telephone numbers, nationality and e-mail address. 
  
• Qualifications
  These should be written chronologically with the most recent first, including professional qualifications. Educational achievements such as degree and A-level results should then follow, along with where they were obtained. Dates should be included at all times. For the temporary and contract market the importance of including qualifications is less so than for the permanent market. You should not include all the courses you have covered, however you should ensure that all the relevant dates are included and that there are no gaps within the CV.
  
• Employment History
  Again, this should be organised chronologically with your most recent work experiences first. The content of this area is the chance for you to make an impact on the employer by conveying a positive image of your duties and responsibilities, showing you to have transferable skills or that you are strong in a particular area. Also ensure that all your time is accounted for - do not leave off any employment periods - the employer will only ask you about it if you get to interview stage.
  
• Personal Interests
  This can be an important area for some employers and less so for others. However, you should explain concisely what you have achieved outside of the work/educational environments and what your interests are. Do not list usual social activities as hobbies unless you are particularly committed and achieved something as a result.
  
• Computer skills
  All computer packages you have used in the past or are familiar with should be included. This is one of the key areas for temporary and contract employees as your knowledge of certain systems could be the difference between you and another candidate getting that role.
  
• Salary Details
  It is useful for both consultants and employers to know what your current or last remuneration package is in terms of the structure of package and the value of each part; it forms the basis of any salary negotiations with clients and also helps consultants know where you are looking to pitch yourself in the marketplace. If your current expectations are markedly different to the current total, you should explain what you are looking for and why in any covering letter.

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Common mistakes

• No nationality
• No Visa status
• Positions in reverse chronological order (ie latest experience not listed first)
• Personal Characteristics - a CV should infer what kind of person you are through what you have done rather than using a section to tell the employer what an ambitious, successful, dynamic individual you are. This is a common problem with CVs.
• Use of graphics/artwork to 'jazz up' a CV. A CV is a tool to portray you as a professional individual and a CV needs to reflect that, so try and make it look corporate. Pictures, though common in the US and the Continent, are considered unnecessary amongst most employers in the UK unless specifically requested.
• Not enough information on the companies worked on such as turnover, headcount, products, etc. Be concise but provide details.

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What now?

The most important thing to do once you have collated all the information and arranged it into the format that you are happy with is to check it thoroughly. An employer can sometimes be looking for reasons to whittle down the pile and spelling mistakes, poor grammar, glaring omissions, etc are the perfect excuses. Once you've checked it, talk it through with your consultant, who will advise with regards to the rest of your job-hunting strategy.

If you are unsure about any aspect of writing or updating your CV, please ask for advice from your consultant. 

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