CV Writing - Your Careers Autobiography (with Infographic) IM HIRED

CV Writing - Your Careers Autobiography (with Infographic) Tell me everything about yourself in only two pages If youre currently looking for employment then chances are youre getting sick of the hours youre putting in for the limited return. When producing a CV, it can be hard to know what you should and shouldnt be including. Your CV should essentially be a summary of your experiences, skills and demonstrate why you are perfect for the job you are applying for; sounds simple right? So why are you sending off so many CVs yet you still havent been hired.You dont have to be JK Rowling to write a CV that will compel an employer to take you to the next stage of the process, you simply have to follow these dos and donts. Now lets get you hired CV Dos Contact Details This is the simplest section of the CV but many people still get it very wrong, I mean how can you get any further in the process if they cant contact you. First off lets get rid of the childish emails such as littlemisssomething@ or badboy@ You need to set up a professional email which will also help better track your applications further down the line. Key Words This is similar to tailoring your CV, so if you have correctly tailored your CV to that specific job advert then mostly likely you have already ticked this section off. But to make sure, go get the job advert you are applying for and pick out all the key words they use in their requirements and then use those words through out your resume. This makes it easier for the employer to spot how perfect you are. Personal Statement This is the foundations on which you build you CV so you   need to make it strong. It is all about selling yourself whilst showcasing your skills and strengths, it should be a summary of your experiences and why you’re interested in the role. You need to grab their attention at the top of the page and ensure they keep reading. Tailored CV Essentially you need to make you CV relevant to the job youre applying to. You should be changing your personal statement every time you apply for a role; highlighting why you should be hired and linking it to the keywords in the job advert. Never send a CV off to different employers without making amendments, every CV submitted should be custom made. Be Honest I am not a fan of Pinocchios, you should be honest through the recruitment process but that doesnt mean you cant put yourself in the best possible light. If you cant speak a specific language or you dont play that sport why are you adding it? What is it contributing to the CV and what is your plan of action if you are questioned further about it? Dont set yourself up for a fail, be honest. CV Donts Dont Copy Someone Else Although tempting DO NOT use a template you find online as all they do is make you blend into the crowd. Be unique in your approach and always ask someone to proof read your work. (no one can rely on auto-correct alone) Dont Make it too Long If you have a lot of relevant experience it can become difficult to keep your CV short and sweet but remember if there are approximately 118 applications coming through for each and every job, recruiters dont have time to read through pages and pages. Despite the title of this blog post your CV shouldnt be a book, keep it to 2 sides of A4. Dont Leave Unanswered Questions Try and read your CV from the point of view of the recruiter and pinpoint every area that would raise any questions and answer them. Whether that be career gaps, a career change or you are going for a job that you may appear over qualified for then explain the reasons for this. If you are struggling to look at your CV objectively get a friend to give it the once over. Dont Sell Yourself Short A CV is all about selling yourself and it is so easy to sell yourself short. Imagine you’re a retail assistant don’t assume that as a recruiter I know what your day to day role involves â€" every job is different and most people do more than just their job description. To avoid forgetting anything prior to writing your CV take a pen and paper to work and write a list of everything you do on an average day; youll be amazed at how much you do! Dont have Poor Spelling or  Grammar Although spelling checkers are a life saver; making it easier for us to notice our own mistakes, dont rely on them too heavily and always double and probably triple check your CV before sending. A second pair of eyes is always useful too. Personally, if I write something I leave it over night and check it again the next day as you usually notice things you didnt previously pick up on whilst you were writing it.