CV Advice

Producing an effective CV is crucial when it comes to searching for a new job role. It is the key factor that can get you into the front door of an organisation.

A CV is a factual document that should represent key areas of your PERSONAL PROFILE / CAREER HISTORY / EDUCATION / KEY SKILLS / KEY ACHIEVEMENTS / PERSONAL INTERESTS / REFERENCES.

PERSONAL PROFILE

A paragraph that summarises your key skills, personality traits and career objectives.  This should be at the top of your CV under your name. 

CAREER HISTORY

You should document companies that you have worked for.  Clear and unfussy presentation is crucial to ensure maximum impact.

Always start with you most recent job and work backwards.  Describing key duties / responsibilities and where applicable key achievements, targets met and exceeded and any awards won e.g. sales person of the month etc.

Ensure that all dates quoted are accurate and where possible explain any gaps between periods of employment.

EDUCATION

Again start from your most recent period of education and work backwards.  Where possible try and include details of the qualifications you have gained.

It is also important to quote any vocational training courses that you have attended / completed since you completed full time education.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

These can be highlighted under particular jobs, however if they are more generic then it is sometimes wise to have these in a separate section on your CV.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Take care not to exaggerate your interests as you will be amazed at how many employers question you on these at the interview.

REFERENCES

Quote 2 work related references at the end of your CV.  These will give the hiring manager a chance to ask about your previous experience and performance with people that you have worked with in the past.


And if all that sounds obvious then you might be surprised at how many people get those basics so wrong. Candidates can wait forever wondering why they never get replies whilst others get the jobs.

Sales recruitment companies are in business to ensure that you present yourself in the best possible light to a potential employer.

If you have any questions or need further help in producing a professional looking CV then please feel free and speak to one of our client manager’s on 01932 252050.

I am writing to thank you for all your help in securing me my new role, and also helping with the redesign of my CV.

Before I spoke to you, I had no idea why I was not getting any interviews. I was sending off what seemed like dozens of applications per day, to companies and to other recruitment consultants.   I’m very lucky that you called and took the time to talk through my application with me. Without your advice on how to present my CV, I don’t think I would have even had the opportunity to sell myself at interview, let alone get the job!

Since starting here I have been promoted into a Team Leader position and now I do the interviews!

Thanks for all your help – but do not expect to hear from me for a while!!

Dave Browne- Telesales Team Leader
Business Information Provider