Job Hunting Tip #2 - How to write your CV!
When you apply for a job you will almost always need a CV. It is really important to spend some time getting it right. Your CV is the first impression an employer will have of you, so you need it to be clear easy to read and provide all the relevant information.
There are lots of useful sites on the internet that will give you advice on writing a CV. Have a search but be careful as some companies will charge you for writing a CV on your behalf. Your PC will also have some templates that can really help you if this is your first CV for some time.
When you come to apply for a job look in detail at the role that you are applying for and tailor what you have written to the role description. Look at the research that you have done on the position and company and begin work on your CV. For example if the role that you are applying for asks for proven customer service experience then make it easy for the employer to find the relevant info on your CV.
Always tell the truth! Never over exaggerate your experience or change your employment dates this could come back to bite you later on and you want to make sure you are starting your relationship with your potential employer on an honest footing.
How long should your CV be? It depends on you level of experience and your career length to date. If you have been working for 10 years or more then the chances are that you will have a more career information to add to a CV than if you are just leaving school or college. As a guide your CV should be 1 and 3 pages with 2 pages being the ideal length.
Must haves! –
a Contact Details - Make sure that all of your contact details are correct. Name and full address with a phone number and email so that the companies you apply to can get hold of you.
a Personal Profile - This is a couple of sentences usually positioned at near to the top of the page that gives details of your experience, skills and ambitions.
a Career/Work History – When you are listing your career history give details of the company you have worked for, your job title, approximate length of time that you were there and your key responsibilities and achievements within the role.
a Qualifications and Professional Qualifications - It is important to make the most of your qualifications on your CV particularly if you have qualifications that are relevant to your application.
a Personal Interests and Hobbies – Although employers are unlikely to use this information to make the decision it can help to build a picture of you as an individual.
a Reference details – A lot of employers will ask for the details up front but shouldn’t contact your referees until you have accepted the offer. If you don’t feel comfortable putting your references on your CV then advise that they are available on request.
Don’t include
r Certificates - Whatever you do don’t enclose certificates. They could get lost or separated and some employers won’t be able to return them to you. If you loose them it will be hard to get replacements.
r Marital Status - Many people still give their marital status on their CV. Marital status along with other personal details such as children and dependents should have no bearing on your application so leave them off.
r Pictures - In a number of European countries employers will want a photo of you on your CV in the
Once you have written your CV print it out and check how it looks on the page. Make sure it is easy to read and there are no mistakes. Then ask someone to read it for you and give you honest feedback.
At O2 we like to see CVs that are relevant for the role you are applying for and give us a good understanding of the skills or experience that you have to offer. We use Microsoft Word so if you can save it in a Word format then it will be easier for us to read
- Louise