4 Simple Tips for Writing a CV

When you’re on the hunt for a new job, your CV determines whether you make the shortlist or end up in the “no” pile, so it’s vital that it gives a good impression. But what really constitutes an effective CV? As a leading employment marketplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers, we want to help you capture employer’s attention.

Don’t let a poorly-crafted document cut your chances of landing your ideal role – here are our tips on how to write a winning corporate CV.

START WITH THE BASICS

Despite how CVs have evolved over the years, the end game remains the same. The goal is always for your CV to be picked out of the pile and progressed to the next stages of the recruitment process. This means presenting a polished CV that not only contains the answers to the employer’s questions, but gets the basics right as well. So, what are the “must haves” when writing a CV?

• • Up to date – this includes new roles, added responsibilities, promotions, training and projects that you’ve been involved with. Even if you’ve been in the same role for years, think about relevant information that would keep your CV updated and keep employers interested.
• • Professional formatting – ensure your CV is easy to navigate with clear headings, subheadings and a professional font.
• • Easy to read – bullet points are great for simplifying long sentences and descriptions. Avoid long winded paragraphs that will make your CV look cluttered.
• • Proof read and spell checked – ask someone you trust to go over your CV and look for any mistakes before submitting it.

BE CLEAR AND CONCISE

Remember that less is always more. You may be tempted to present an eye-catching graphic CV in an attempt to stand out from the crowd, but a document that is over-the-top may distract the reader from what’s most important – the content. Likewise, the recruitment team often have to enter the key details of CVs into their systems to keep a record of candidates and present the applications to the hiring managers, graphic CVs make this difficult to do.

One of the golden CV tips that we regularly pass on to job seekers is to keep it short, sharp and simple. Ensure your CV is no more than three pages long to prevent wasting space on irrelevant details and use clear and specific language on what you did in each role. Work history should always be in reverse chronological order, so it can be easily understood. Additionally, remember to specify the year and month you commenced and finished each role.

TAILOR TO EACH ROLE

One of the first things a recruiter will look for in a CV is the link between your skills and what’s required for the job being advertised. Consequently, it’s important to tailor your CV to each and every role that you apply for, as this will not only demonstrate that you meet the criteria for the role but also show you paid attention to the advert.

Refer to the job description or advertisement to match what the employer is specifically asking for but be careful not to regurgitate the job description in your resume. The recruiter/hiring manager already knows what’s involved in the role, so instead, make it clear why they should consider YOU over the other applicants.

When personalising your CV, make sure to describe your skills and how they are used on a day to day basis in your current or previous roles. You should also include clear examples of projects that you’ve worked on or have been involved in, as well as any soft skills, qualifications and experience that’s highlighted in the job advert.

DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF

The best way to make sure your job application stands out from the other applicants is to highlight your points of difference. This is your one opportunity to really promote yourself and list all relevant accomplishments and achievements. Employers want to know that you are committed, passionate and motivated, as well as that you actively keep your skills up to date. When writing your CV, highlight any relevant extracurricular work that you have done in the community or through volunteering, industry involvement, training completed outside of work, professional events that you’ve attended in your own time or even related personal projects.

SUMMARY

When you have a carefully written job application, the chances of getting your next dream job go up considerably, so it’s worth the extra effort to present a CV that will attract the employer’s interest and allow you the best opportunity to secure an interview.

For more advice on how to write a CV, contact the team at Indigenous Employment Australia. We can show you an example of a good CV or provide feedback to your finished resume before submitting it to potential employers.