DO’S AND DON’TS OF CV WRITING

WEDNESDAY 08 APRIL

Sarah Luxford is a business founder and Advisory board member with experience with building some of the fastest growing tech firms. These are her do’s and don’ts for CV writing.

Do

• Remember to put your name and contact information at the top of the CV. You will be surprised how many CV’s we receive without contact details
• Include relevant weblinks that provide further detail about you and your work such as LinkedIn or a link to your own professional website
• Include a professional summary. This should be no longer than 3 to 4 lines. Remember – this is your elevator pitch, not what you are looking for in your next job
• Tailor your CV for the job. Make it relevant by noting the key words and key criteria and ensure you include achievements that relates to that
• Include at least 2-3 key achievements in bullet point form for each role. Use positive language and action verbs describing your achievements eg: Instigated Established Transformed Rejuvenated Developed Motivated Achieved Delivered Initiated Grew Overhauled Awarded
• Include numbers and data where possible to support your claims with specifics eg Saved time VS Reduced  roll out by x of weeks which resulted in a £ saving for the client.
• Choose your format carefully. Chronological Vs Functional.  Functional resumes highlight your abilities, skills that can be organised into categories rather than your chronological work history. Where possible we would advise to list your key technical skills in a table no longer than a third of a page followed by your chronological work history.
• Keep you CV to 2 pages, 3 pages absolute maximum. Utilise Font of 11pt. Keep it easy to read
• Include interests that demonstrate further skills that are relevant to the employer or job eg Voluntary work (organisation, leadership), Sports (Resilience, competition)
• Ask your friend or colleague to review your CV – a different perspective can be invaluable

Don’t

• Include a profile picture, your date of birth or salary information.
• Use an inappropriate email address …..
• Use animation or pie graphs that are not relevant to the job. Don’t go over board on creativity, it can be off putting
• Explain gaps or departures in your career history – leave this for interview
• Lie – You will be found out