What should I do when I am..
Writing my Curriculum vitae?
Do..
- Use good quality paper: this is important if you're sending your CV by post. Put it in an A4 envelope so you don't have to fold it.
- Keep your CV to two pages: you can boil this down further to an American style one-page résumé, but don't sacrifice relevant information for the sake of succinctness.
- State all your contact details at the top of the page: include home, mobile and business phone numbers, if appropriate.
- Embolden text: to highlight different sections - also try different fonts or shaded areas. Leave white space around each item to make it easy to read.
- Use bullet points: this breaks up the information into bite size chunks making it harder for readers to miss key information.
- Use action verbs: at the start of each bullet point and write in the third person and past tense. Use 'instigated', 'developed', 'improved', 'managed' and 'co-ordinated', for example, rather than 'did'.
- Start with your most recent position: and work backwards if compiling a chronological CV. If you're short of space, reduce the number of bullet points for positions you held early in your career.
- Apply the 'so what?' test when you've finished your CV: look carefully at the experiences and achievements you have listed. Ask yourself 'So what?' for each one. Each point you make should have a tangible and obvious benefit to the recruiting organisation.
- Back up your assertions: each achievement should ideally be related to some evidence in the form of a statistic, percentage or amount of money.
- List your highest-level qualification first: include only important qualifications and don't list all your 'O' levels or GCSEs. Include memberships of professional institutions.
- Include additional skills: don't forget to mention your language or IT skills.
- Include training courses: but mention only the most relevant ones you've attended.
- Be careful when using attachments: they can occasionally be appropriate, especially if you work in certain sectors or types of jobs, and stop the body of your CV from becoming cluttered with detail.
- Check your CV carefully: check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and typographical errors. Get a trusted friend to read through it as well.
Don't..
- Write the heading 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top: recruiters know what the document is.
- Use the first person: writing in the third person is more effective - say 'Managed' not 'I managed'.
- Include information on religion or political affiliation: the reader may have a different view - don't open yourself up to being rejected for any reason other than your skills not matching a role.
- Put anything controversial under the 'Interests' section: think carefully about what your interests say about you first.
- Mention remuneration: keep salary information for the covering letter if you have been asked to provide details, or preferably for discussion at interview.
- Attach a photograph
Preparing my Covering letter?
Do..
- Write to a named person, not to 'Sir / Madam', and ideally to the appropriate decision maker, such as the Head of Human Resources or the Chief Executive.
- Phone the organisation to check the person's title, initials and the correct spelling of their name.
- Match your skills and achievements to the employer's needs by researching the role and the company.
- Keep your points brief and don't repeat information verbatim from your CV: knowing your CV well will enable you to pull out relevant strands of information.
Don't
- Write more than one page.
- Use dense chunks of text - your letter must be readable at a glance.
- Hand-write your letter unless specifically requested.
- Use your initials: opt for the format 'Janet R Smith' rather than 'J R Smith' when typing your name at the end of the letter.
- Forget to sign your letter, put it in the right envelope, and keep a copy for your records.
Completing my application form?
Do..
- Photocopy the blank form and read it through carefully.
- Jot down your initial thoughts on a rough page: it can be useful to do this over a few hours, coming back each time you think of something new.
- Allow plenty of time to complete the form.
- Transfer your answers to the original application form using a black pen
- Take a photocopy of the completed form.
- Send the application form with a covering letter.
- Regard 'other information' sections as an opportunity to sell yourself.
Don't..
- Send your CV instead of filling in the application form - it is acceptable to include your CV when you return the form, unless you're asked not to.
- Respond to any question with the phrase 'See attached CV'
- Leave blank spaces - always respond in some way, even if you say 'Not applicable'
- Lie or exaggerate about your achievements - standard CV rules apply.
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