Advice on how to write a CV which will get you that interview.
The most important thing to remember about your CV is that it is a marketing tool.
It sells your skills, education, experience and personality to a prospective employer. It should sell you so well that an employer would want to ensure you are on the shortlist to be interviewed.
Ideally, your CV should always be customised slightly to match more closely the skills required for the job you are applying for.
Personal profile
Although writing a CV will be different for everybody it is a good idea to write a short personal profile at the beginning so that an employer gets a clear impression of the writer and is keen to read on.
Skills and strengths
You can then describe your skills and strengths in a short paragraph with particular emphasis on communication, marketing and leadership.
Do remember to provide proof of which jobs gave you the opportunity to develop these skills.
Work experience
This is the meat of the CV where employers are looking to find proof that you have the skills and experience which they need.
Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order. The more recent the job, the more details should be given on your CV. If you skimp on the details your CV will not stand out from the crowd. Even if you are hoping to move into another library & information sector a prospective employer will be interested in your most recent work experience.
Concentrate on your 5 most recent jobs and don’t leave gaps in your work history or the employer may well assume you have something to hide.
Don’t be shy of listing your achievements even having a heading called Achievements if you are proud of them.
Education
This should also be listed in reverse order. If you are fairly recently qualified details of courses and modules taken will give the employer useful information about you but as your career progresses this becomes less relevant than the work experience you have acquired.
Other skills
This section should add to your first paragraph of skills so that the employer gets a really rounded picture of you. List your IT skills, in depth experience in using databases and any languages spoken. Remember this list should always include proof of where you have used these skills.
Interests
This can be a can of worms and some careers advisers prefer to avoid this altogether. The problem with leaving out this heading is that you can lack personality on the page. If you are confident that your interests back up the impression that you are interesting, lively and confident then go ahead.
And finally, remember
• list any professional bodies to which you belong.
• Only place contact details of referees if you are sure you would like them to be taken up. It is quite usual to put “References available upon request” and then to provide details when later on the employer asks for them.
• avoid long paragraphs that the employer will not read. It has been calculated that some employers will only spend an average of two minutes reading a CV before putting it to one side
• Double check for spelling mistakes
• Do not use coloured paper however stylish.
• Make your CV available in electronic format
Further reading
Faust,Bill & Michael
Pitch yourself -stand out from the CV crowd with a Personal Elevator Pitch
Prentice Hall, 2006 paperback edition
Covering letters
This can be a brilliant lead-in for the employer. If it creates a good impression the employer will spend more time reading your cv and will pay it closer attention.
• remember to refer to the job advert including the date and title of the organisation
• say why you would like the job and what attracts you to the organisation giving practical information which tells the employer you have been interested enough to do some research
• try not to repeat the information on your CV
• finish by reiterating your availability for interview
Updated: 11 May 2009