The Perfect CV
A good CV in itself cannot get you a job, but since a bad CV can prevent you from even getting an interview, it is worth spending extra time on preparing a document that will really impress prospective employers.
There is an opportunity for some creativity, but not for gimmicks. You‘ll need to sound professional and businesslike and concentrate on your key achievements, while glossing over your shortcomings. Follow this guide, and you‘ll soon be on your way to writing a perfect CV!
Content
1.
NAME - at the top!
2.
PERSONAL DETAILS
• If stating your date of birth, please note that under Irish employment law you are not obliged to provide your date of birth (and hence your age) if you don‘t wish to. Employers are prohibited, by law, from asking you for your date of birth or your age.
• Keep personal information to a minimum, i.e. address, email, phone number.
3.
EDUCATION
• Recruiters like to see details of all qualifications and results, from Leaving Certificate to degrees and professional qualifications.
• Any work related training should also be outlined, but only if it is relevant.
• Also include studies in / knowledge of foreign languages.
4.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
• List past employment details in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first, always devoting the most space to your most recent or current position.
• Names of past employers, along with dates of appointments and a brief outline of responsibilities are essential. Some employers also like to see a brief description of the companies and a summary of their business. In this, and the previous section, there is no need to include exact dates - months and years are sufficient.
• With regard to your current job, don‘t include your company telephone number unless your boss is aware that you want to leave.
• Never provide salary information on the CV, save it for the interview. If such information is specifically requested, reveal it in the covering letter.
• Always include your specific contributions to each job - note that job-related responsibilities and achievements should be listed with each entry, rather than in a separate section.
• List any affiliation to professional associations, but only if they‘re relevant.
• There‘s no need to state "References Available on Request" - it goes without saying, and just clutters up the CV.
5.
NON-WORK ACTIVITIES
• Hobbies and interests that are not directly related to the position should be kept to a minimum - 2 or 3 lines is enough. This information should always appear at the very end of your CV.
Avoid professional jargon and gimmicks, graphics, fancy fonts etc.
General Advice
• Be honest and truthful about your career experience and achievements, over-exaggeration will be found out!
• Customise your CV for each prospective employer you send your CV to.
• Remember to give each of your referees a copy of your CV.
• Always send your CV within 10 days of any position being advertised. Use key words in the job advert or description in your CV.Re-read your CV before any interview - chances are the interviewer will too.
• Keep an ongoing file of your achievements, no matter how insignificant they may appear they‘ll make the basis for a good CV.
Layout
• Always print the CV on standard A4 size, white paper.
• If you‘re emailing your CV, use a simple font and save it in plain text.
• Make sure it‘s been typed or word processed and use a plain, simple-to-read font.
• Use plain English, and make sure both the CV and covering letter are error-free - proof read them thoroughly!
• Prepare your CV chronologically - list your most recent jobs first, and work backwards. The same applies to education and other work-experience.
• Use bullet points where possible and keep paragraphs short - preferably no longer than 4/5 lines.
• The entire CV should, ideally, not exceed two pages in length, although some candidates, whose breadth of experience requires more space, may be able to justify a CV that runs to 3 pages.
• Always send a brief customised letter with any CV you send out.
• Don‘t include the date a CV was prepared - it will only shorten the life of your CV and make it seem prematurely out of date.
• Never state specific career objectives on a CV, unless it is targeted to a particular job or application.
Reproduced with kind permission from
La Creme Recreuitment
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