Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, thousands of people are looking for jobs. For some people, this might be the first time they are job-seeking in many years, and therefore it might feel like you have to start again from scratch.
Actually, whisper it – starting from scratch isn’t a bad thing, especially if it has been a while since you last updated your CV. It may be quicker, easier and more effective to start with a fresh sheet of paper; recruiters and advisers can tell if you have just tried to update your old CV!
We will cover what to put in your CV in the next few blog posts – but for now, let’s discuss some of the basics.
It doesn’t matter if you are applying for a job in retail, a role as a teacher or an engineer; your CV will comprise of three elements:
- Visual: does it look appropriate for its target audience?
- Structure: is everything in the right place, and easy to find?
- Content: this is the most important, but unless you get the first two elements correct, no-one is going to find the good content!
Let’s start with the visual: before you start typing, stop and think. What is going to look appropriate for the type of job that you want? Think about who is going to read this: a retail manager probably wants a simple summary of your experience and skills; an art director will want to see your design and creative skills; the head of a construction firm might not be impressed with splashes of colour. Do you need one page or two? If you are not sure what is appropriate, then ask someone – speak to a recruiter or get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
Next, structure: this breaks into two key elements – can you find what you need, and is it in the best place? Use simple, clear headings for each section e.g. “Employment”, “Qualifications”, “Key Skills”. Remember that we read from top-to-bottom, so if you want them to see it, put it high up on the page.
Finally for now, content: we are going to write more about this in the next few weeks, but it is really important to think about the words and phrases that you use. Positive language is important! Also, if there are any technical phrases you need, then make sure that you include them; some employers use automated screening software that will be looking for key words. Mention any industry-specific skills e.g. use of software or equipment, and use industry-appropriate language.
We will be writing more about CVs, and what to include over the next few weeks. In the meantime, this video from The Guardian may give you some food for thought:
[Cover photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels]
Karuna CV 