An outstanding CV is vital if you want to progress to the interview stage when hunting for a new job. However, securing a job interview isn’t always easy, particularly where online job advertisements attract tens or even hundreds of applicants. You need to understand what hiring managers are looking for in a CV to attract their attention and have them pick up the phone or write an email to arrange an interview.
Here we look at how you can create an impactful CV that communicates effectively the information recruiters and companies are looking for in a CV.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is an introduction to your character, traits, attributes, and skills. When writing a personal statement, you should tailor this to those mentioned by the recruiter in their job description, roles, and responsibilities.
Education and qualifications
You should list your educational achievements, industry qualifications, or certifications that the employer has stated as necessary. You demonstrate that you have achieved the right level of academia to complete the role.
If you have little or no work experience, it is advantageous to expand on your educational achievements. You might like to include completed projects or relevant degree modules. If you have a lot of work experience, you will need to determine the most appropriate education and qualifications to include on your CV.
Career history
Recruiters are looking for a job history that proves that you are capable and suitable for the role. You should begin with your most recent employment and work backwards, focusing on appropriate jobs for the position you are applying for.
If your career history does not immediately match the prospective job, highlight the transferable skills of the role. You should also include achievements that you can quantify with facts and figures.
How much job history you should include on your CV depends on relevance, the number of educational achievements, and the years you have worked.
Skills
Companies are always looking for talent with the right set of skills. You need to identify the skills to include on your CV, and it pays dividends to add an example of how you used your skills to create a positive outcome.
Hobbies and interests
It helps recruiters if you include hobbies and interests on your CV. Like with skills, you can add a description that shows how a hobby’s required abilities might transfer into the work environment.
References
There was once a time when employers expected to see the full details of your references on your CV. Today, it is acceptable to state that these are available on request or include the reference's name and phone number.
CV template examples
For further guidance writing your CV and getting a job interview, read our career advice and view our CV templates:
- Accounting CV template
- Agriculture CV template
- Arts CV template
- Automotive CV template
- Banking CV template
- Charity CV template
- Construction CV template
- Customer Services CV template
- Education CV template
- Engineering CV template
- Environmental CV template
- Facilities Management CV template
- Finance CV template
- Healthcare CV template
- Hospitality and Leisure CV template
- Human Resources (HR) CV template
- Information Technology (IT) CV template
- Leadership CV template
- Legal CV template
- Manufacturing CV template
- Marketing CV template
- Media CV template
- Office Administration CV template
- Personal Care CV template
- Professional Services CV template
- Public Sector CV template
- Retail CV template
- Sales CV template
- Science CV template
- Social Care CV template
- Telecommunications CV template
- Transportation and Logistics CV template
