In order to make the right first impression, a well structured CV that is tailored to the role you are applying for is essential to securing that next step. 

This blog focuses on how to ensure your CV is the right format and do that final quality check to ensure it hits the mark. 

By this stage, you have written an impressive Bio/Personal Statement, provided a good overview of your skills and experience and demonstrated your career history and education in a way that has grasped the attention of the hiring manager.  This final step is often glossed over, but it is crucial as in a world where hiring managers are reviewing application after application, the format and the quality can quickly make or break the hiring managers decision to keep reading or move onto the next applicant. 

Below is a step by step guide on the format of your CV. 

• Make sure you use a template for your CV which is no longer than two pages.  For those with less than 3 years experience, I would recommend a one page format.  If your CV is longer than 2 pages, there is irrelevant information in there, so edit it down using some of the below techniques. 
• The top of the CV should have your name, address and contact details so this is clear. 
• Next, you should include your bio/personal statement which should not be more than 5 lines long. 
• Following this, you should have your key skills and experience section which outlines WHAT you are capable of. 
• Next you should move onto your career history, which demonstrates HOW you have achieved your key skills and experience
• Include your education and professional qualifications drawing out those most relevant to the role you are applying for. 
• End on a closing statement, such as “References available upon request.  I look forward to learning more about the role”

Now that you have your format finalised, it’s time to do that final quality check.  Here’s a few pointers to ensure you can lock in your final draft and send it off to the recruiter.

• Re-read the job description side by side against your CV and check that you have met all or as many of the requirements of the role as you possibly can, using the same language as the job description
• If you are updating an older version, check that the dates and years of experience are still up to date and relevant
• Sounds basic, but make sure to do that spelling and grammar check.  It would surprise you how often this can be overlooked!
• Check for jargon and abbreviations.  Whilst some are industry specific, others are internal and might make no sense to your perspective employer. 
• Read your CV aloud!  This can be a great way to sense check that it makes sense, flows well and is written in the right language. 
• Make sure you are using a professional font and have consistent formatting such as line spacing, bullet points and paragraphs, making sure that there are white spaces to prevent readers’ fatigue. 

By this stage, you have a CV that is ready to impress any recruiter or hiring manager.  Some final useful tips which are important to your success. 

• As tempting as it can be to submit your CV over and over again, it’s worth the time and investment to have a default template that you personalise for each role you are applying for. 
• Consider having a trusted colleague, friend or family member read your CV for an external point of view, however it’s important to realise that not all advice is good advice.  No one knows your experience better than you do! 
• If you have tried these tips and you are still struggling to get your foot through the door for an interview, Get in touch so I can help understand you and your experience better and detect what might be the broken link preventing you from gaining further success. 

Good luck on your journey.