Top 10 tips for writing a successful CV

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Writing a strong, successful CV is one of the trickiest stages of getting a new job. And did you know you have less than 30 seconds to make an impression?!

According to a survey published by The Ladders in 2012, recruiters spend an average of six seconds reviewing a CV. But, don’t panic! If you follow our top 10 tips for writing a successful CV, you will be sure to wow!

Presentation is key – spend time formatting your CV and ensure it’s clearly presented with a clean layout. Use bullet points and keep sentences short. Leave plenty of white space (around text and between categories) to make sure the CV layout is easy on the eye. Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter’s eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.
3 ways to capture recruiter attention
Keep it short & sweet – a successful CV is clear, concise and never waffles on. Ensure your CV is punchy, to the point and contains keywords. You can save the details for the interview. Ensure your CV is no more than 2 pages. A CV is your chance to tick the right boxes, so you get invited to a job interview. Recruiters and employers receive dozens of CVs all the time so they will probably just scan your CV quickly. It’s unlikely they’ll read your CV cover to cover!
Tailor CV to the role – take the time to tailor your CV for each role you apply for. Research the company and use the job advert to gauge exactly which skills you should highlight, and which aren’t so relevant. Every CV you send to a potential employer should be tailored to that role so don’t be lazy and hope that a general CV will work because it won’t.
Be truthful & honest – never resort to lying on your CV as many companies will check the facts. And if they don’t, it’s likely you’ll get caught out at the interview stage instead – where any inconsistencies in your story will be ruthlessly probed.
Get the basics right – there is no right or wrong way to write a CV but there are some basic elements of a CV you should cover including personal & contact information, education & qualifications, work history &/or experience, relevant skills to job in question, achievements, interests and references.
Highlight key skills – under the skills section of your CV don’t forget to mention key skills that can help you to stand out from the crowd. These could include communication skills; computer skills; team working; problem-solving or even speaking a foreign language. Skills can come out of the most unlikely places, so really think about what you’ve done to grow your own skills, even if it’s being a member of a local sports team or joining a voluntary group – it’s all relevant!
Don’t leave gaps – don’t let missing work history damage your CV. Gaps make recruiters suspicious – if they spot something’s missing, they’re unlikely to give you the benefit of the doubt. If you’ve been unemployed, put a positive spin on it. For example, did you develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork or project management? New data from job search engine Adzuna.co.uk revealed that when it comes to seeking out new employees, communication’ is the most sought after soft skill. 10.9% of ads mention ‘Communication’ within the job description, highlighting the value of showing off soft skills in both CVs and during interview processes.
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Supercharge your CV!
Back up achievements with numbers – the most powerful achievements are those which are quantifiable, so include numbers or percentages where possible. For example, don’t just tell the recruiter you increased sales, tell them you increased sales by 80% over a six-month period.
Proofread your CV –always proofread your CV and ask someone else to proofread it for you! You don’t want your job application thrown onto the reject pile because of avoidable mistakes. And, always use a spellchecker!
Keep your CV up to date – review and update your CV regularly, regardless of whether you’re actively job seeking. Every time something significant occurs in your career, record it so nothing slips through the net. Potential employers are always impressed with candidates who go the extra mile to boost their own skills and experience.

You should now be armed with all the information you need to write a successful CV. However, if you would prefer to leave it to a professional CV writer, please see below.

Professional CV Writing Services

For details about Bijou Concierge’s Professional CV Writing Service (for girlbosses and mere mortals!) please contact Annie here or email annie@bijouconcierge.co.uk. Annie is a professional copywriter and can review, rewrite or write your CV from scratch. She is an ex-City PA and has previously worked in Executive Search & Selection.