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CV Advisor

A well written Curriculum Vitae (CV) is vital when making an application for any new job.  Many people find that preparing a final CV is time-consuming and even the most experienced Executives can find it challenging to compile and preset the right information in the right format. This short guide should help you to write your CV in an industry preferred format with appropriate information and it will help you to omit inappropriate details.

Most companies will expect you to submit your CV in Microsoft Word format.  If you do not have access to a copy then you can download an ‘open source’ alternative that will help you write and export documents in Microsoft Word format.

OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org

Tip: An employer may not have the latest version of Microsoft Word so always save documents in an older version by selecting ‘save as’ plus the appropriate file type option.  So, if the latest version of Word is 2010, you might consider saving and submitting your CV in Word 2003 format.

CV Headings and Sequence

Recruitment Consultants and regular Employers review many CVs. It is rare for any one of them to read your CV in detail. Instead, most people scan the document for the information they need to qualify your suitability. To help the reader to find the most relevant information, you you adopt a familiar style that is easy to navigate.

So, you are helping the reader and your own prospects of achieving an interview if your CV has the following sections in this order:

1. Personal Information
   Such as name, address, telephone, email
2. Personal Statement
   Description of what you do; function, experience, location etc.
3. Career History
   Most recent first; roles, key functions, responsibilities and measurables
4. Skills Summary (Optional)
   Using IT as an example, summarising platform, language, database experience and other relevant information
5. Education & Qualifications
   List of results and qualifications, (most valuable first)
6. Interests
   Genuine interests noting any areas of responsibility

CV Content

The content of your CV should detail and evidence:

• All roles (indicate any temporary / contract roles)
• The level of responsibility for each role
• Locations or geography in which you have operated
• Success rates against any measurable target
• Achievements in relation to qualitative targets
• Educational history and achievement
• Vocational courses and results
• Any company awards, merits or acknowledgements
• Any industry awards, merits or acknowledgements.
• Your personal promotions.

CV Formatting

The Golden rules of CV formatting are as follows:

1. Use only Arial or Times New Roman
   They are the clearest fonts on paper.

2. Use the same font throughout the CV
   Font consistency keeps it neat and easy on the eye.
3. Stick with one font size, either 10 or 11 pitch
   Tiny text is too difficult to read.
4. Leave space between the key sections
   This breaks up your CV so that it’s easier to navigate.
5. Avoid photographs and fancy graphics
   Keep it clean and professional.

What to Avoid in a CV

Xperian Recruitment’s consultants have read thousands of CV’s and have seen numerous examples of the following issues.  

Please ensure that you avoid:

• Stating anything that cannot be referenced.
• Detailing personal information e.g. Your NI number.
• Giving reference details (supply upon request).
• Spelling mistakes.
• Stating anything negative about past employers.
• Detailing reasons for leaving previous roles.
• Writing in 3rd person (“Ed is a brilliant salesman”).

CV Length

On the subject of CV length, some generally observed guidance suggests that CV’s should be no longer than one or two pages.  We disagree as this doesn’t take into account how modern recruitment works in practice.

Perhaps the right way of thinking about this is to include only those items that are important but express those in the fewest number of words.  Your CV length will ultimately sort itself out.

CV Personal Statement

Your opening Statement is very important as it’s commonly read before anything else.  An estimated 70% of CV’s include the following sentiment in the opening statement:

“I am a conscientious, hard-working and determined individual who can work equally well on my own or as part of a team.”

Try to develop an opening statement that tells the reader what you are in a professional capacity.  If you can indicate levels of success with any useful metrics then our suggestion is to include those.

Your CV: Tips at a Glance

• Ensure CV Formatting remains consistent throughout
• Focus on content and the length will look after itself
• Ensure CV Headings and Sequence are easy to follow
• Write a Personal Statement that explains what you do
• Use the fewest number of words to detail each point
• Itemise your past roles with levels of responsibility
• Include details of any awards & merits
• Detail measurable successes against key objectives
• Avoid stating anything that can’t be referenced
• Avoid negatives in your CV
• Avoid the inclusion of confidential personal information
• Do not include referee contact details in your CV

Guide to Writing a Winning CV

This one-page guide delivers practical advice on what to include in your CV and what you should avoid.

General CV Template

This CV template can be used for any role.  It offers easy navigation of key subjects in the order that most employers and recruitment agents like to read them.

Project Manager CV Template

This CV template is geared towards Project and Programme Management individuals.  General information is supplemented with a table of key skills.

Sales Manager CV Template

This CV template is geared towards more technical individuals.  In addition to the general inclusions a summary of key technical skills helps the reader.

Avoiding Identity Theft

Placing your CV onto any Job Board ensures that it is accessible by a great many people, both in the UK and overseas. Whilst most of those people will undoubtedly abide by rules of confidentiality it is wise to work on the principle that you should only deliver personal information to individuals you trust and only at the time it is legitimately requested.

You should avoid placing the following information on your CV:

National Insurance Number
Misuse of National Insurance numbers is one of the most dangerous types of identity theft. A thief may use your N.I. number fraudulently to obtain welfare benefits, tax refunds or credit.

In some cases, a thief might use your NI number to obtain employment in your name. The thief's employer will report the personal earnings of the thief to the Inland Revenue under your National Insurance number and you could be left with a bill for income taxes on those earnings.  

In short, fraudulent use of your National Insurance number can result in your loss of those benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled.

Bank Account Details
Cheque fraud occurs when an identity thief reproduces cheques against your Bank Account. Using an ordinary home computer and printer Criminals can easily recreate cheques with just your account number and sort code.

Driving Licence Number
Your driving license number combined with your home address offers a thief the opportunity to manufacture a paper copy of your driving license.  That can be used as proof of address (or spoof of address) on the setup of numerous credit items such as in store cards.

Passport Number
UK passports can be an attractive target for identity thieves.  Sophisticated thieves can produce reasonable copies of passports and they can be used to fraudulently satisfy identity proof.

Content, Sequence
Confidential Information