How to write a CV: the absolute basics
Clarity and brevity are key to all effective CV writing. Why? Because your job application could be one amongst hundreds received for the same job – so initially it will almost certainly only be scanned for a few seconds before being assigned to a pile for further action.
So in an ideal world it needs to be typed rather than hand-written. If you do find yourself having to literally ‘put pen to paper’ remember that first impressions count. So make sure you use a real pen and not a ballpoint pen - and if you’re applying for a job at the BBC of course, never use green ink. So much for clarity.
As far as brevity is concerned a CV is best produced on a personal computer because it allows for editing and ‘spell checking’. Make sure therefore that your pc is set up to use the English rather than the American dictionary and don’t be tempted to use a fancy typeface. The person at the other end is interested in content, not style. A competent sales recruitment company will be happy to give you a critique of your CV.
Hand-write the vital accompanying letter if you really feel the urge or are instructed to do so, but whatever you do, make sure you include your name, telephone number, email and postal address at the top, as well as on the CV itself. When saving your CV as a Word document or PDF, always make sure you name it after yourself. So ‘John Smith CV.doc’ or ‘Jane Smith CV.doc’ should be the key to how it is stored. Most ‘Human Resource’ (HR) departments and line managers who receive documents labelled ‘My CV.doc’ are irritated beyond belief at having to label the CV correctly for subsequent storage and retrieval purposes.
Flamboyant signatures are only acceptable as the pay-off to your letter so long as you provide the courtesy of a typewritten translation underneath.
If you’re a woman, add a Ms Miss or Mrs to your name so that your potential employer knows how to address you in a subsequent written reply or telephone call.
Never send a CV without an accompanying letter that is relevant to the position being applied for. Unless you do this it creates the impression that you are not interested in the company itself but only in sending out 12 CVs a day. If it’s a speculative approach, make it clear as to why you’re interested in a job with their company. Either way it pays to find out a little about the business you are writing to and construct that short accompanying letter accordingly – even if that only means putting their name and address on the top left-hand side, underneath the date.
And if all that sounds obvious then you might be surprised at how many people get those basics so totally wrong that they are doomed to sit 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.
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