HR GO's CV advice can help you stand out from the crowd

Remember, your CV will usually be responsible for creating the first impression that a potential employer forms of you and you only get one chance.

• If you are using an old CV, re read and spice it up. You should continually update your CV with new skills learned, training courses, new responsibilities etc to keep ahead of the game.



• Be objective - if you were the employer, would you invite you for an interview from what you can read on your CV?



• One CV suits all is a definite no-no. This may be one of the reasons you are not securing the interviews if your CV is too broad and generic. You will need to put together more than one CV if you intend to apply for different types of jobs across different industry sectors.



• Employers need to see how your experience, knowledge and skills sets match the job advertised. They may not always be able to make a connection so you must make it clear for them. If you have a list of person specifications and role responsibilities, ensure you refer to as many as possible – pad out a previous role if it demonstrates matching responsibilities or the skills needed, use key words they use in your personal profile to clearly identify to the employer that you are the right person for the job and must be invited to attend an interview.



• For some, writing a CV can be a daunting experience - having to look at yourself objectively and identify strengths, abilities and personal attributes. Others can go the other way and treat it as a platform to state how wonderful they are! Remember to find a balance between the two. Be informative and realistic and look at yourself on a professional level; modestly not boastfully. If you do struggle with this, why not ask close friends or family members to describe you in three words to give you a helping hand. Friendly, organised and responsible are all great key words to integrate into your CV.



Your CV should show that you have –


• The right experience needed for the job



• The right skills needed for the job



• The right personal qualities

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