Top 10 CV writing tips

The job market is a highly competitive environment so we asked our team of experienced consultants to compile a list of their top CV writing tips they believe will help your CV stand out from the crowd.

Be clear and concise
Choose a font that is easy to read (nothing too fancy) Arial, Calibri or Verdana are good choices

Format the CV properly (most recent position at the top with dates in chronological order)

Try to keep it minimalistic but with enough detail to explain your skills and strengths – aim for no more than 2 pages

Technical jargon is good to use but always think about the role you are applying for and your audience

Keep sentences concise and to the point

Keep it up to date

Ensure personal contact information is current and up to date
Education & Qualifications should be up to date and true (you may be asked for certificates or proof that these were obtained)

Always include employment history changes including your most recent position

Ensure that you include:
Personal & Contact Information

Skills summary

Employment History – including your achievements
Education & Qualifications – including your achievements
Personal Interests & Hobbies – We like to get to know the person!

Customise your CV to the role
Refer to the job description/job advert to match the relevant achievements with the requirements for the position
Use technical jargon used in the job description (if relevant to your skill set)
Optimise your CV to include keywords specific to the role you are applying to (this is useful when recruiters are searching for these skills on job boards)

Proof read & amend
(Use Spell check). Get someone else to proofread as well.  Any recruiter or employer will look carefully for any errors. Ideally, get someone else to review your CV for you prior to applying for roles with recruiters or employers.

Tell the truth
Do not attempt to lie on your CV.  Background/reference checks can uncover issues and it could jeopardise any new position if you are not truthful from the start. This may also impact your future employability. Honesty is always the best policy.

Do not leave unexplained gaps
Do not leave gaps without explanation, they will make any recruiter or employer suspicious. Include what you did in these gaps – for example, did you do voluntary work or go travelling?

Highlight hobbies or interests
Hobbies or interests help you express your personality, can help differentiate you as an individual, help determine team fit amongst other applicants and can also form part of the discussion during an interview.

References
Your references should include at least two people that you know from a professional environment and at least one of these should be someone that you reported to (if applicable) as they will know about your skills and experience.

Personal Information
Is your email address appropriate for your CV? It should be kept professional, for example: recruit@khr.co.uk

Once you have completed your new CV, why not take a look at our website and social media channels to see what positions KHR Recruitment Specialists can offer you.

Website: www.khr.co.uk
Facebook: KHR Recruitment Specialists
Instagram: khrrecruitmentspecialists
Twitter: @kentjobclub
Linked In: KHR-Recruitment Specialists