Updating your CV can often feel like a daunting task, especially if embarking on a job search after a long time. This simple guide will help you make the process of writing your CV as painless and as effective as possible. Images: Thinkstock

1. Updating your CV can often feel
like a daunting task, especially if
embarking on a job search after a
long time.
This simple guide will help you
make the process of writing your
CV as painless and as effective as
possible.
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO
WRITING THE
PERFECT RESUME/CV
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2. Your CV must look clean and well
structured, with enough white
space to enhance readability.
It should be approximately two
pages long unless your industry
has its own standards; for instance,
if you are expected to include your
publications or details of multiple
projects.
PRESENTATION AND
LAYOUT

3. Make sure to use the phone number
and email address that you use
most often.
You don’t want to disappoint an
employer by failing to respond to
their invitation for an interview in a
timely fashion.
NAME, ADDRESS AND
CONTACT DETAILS

4. This is optional, but it’s a good
chance to highlight in a few
sentences what you hope to
achieve in your next position and
what you feel you can offer to the
employer.
In marketing terms, this is the place
for your ‘USP’, or unique sales
proposition. Tailor this section to
each job position that you’re
applying to.
PERSONAL SUMMARY

5. Including a skills section can
capture the attention of the reader
by making it immediately clear what
you can offer.
Compile a brief bulleted list of the
skills and experience that you
possess which are relevant to the
role. Wherever possible, use the
same adjectives as those used in
the advertisement.
SKILLS SUMMARY

6. This is your work history and
includes paid work and any relevant
volunteer or work experience
placements.
Work backwards from your most
recent job and don’t leave any gaps.
If you took a year out, carried out an
interim assignment or travelled for
six months, say so – just make sure
you illustrate the experience in a
positive way, focusing on the fact
that it gave you some great skills.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

7. A future employer will be interested
in where you went above and
beyond the job that you were paid to
do and achieved something great.
So if you’ve been “Employee of the
Month” for 3 months running, say
so. All achievements should be
quantified, for example if you over-
achieved on your sales targets, you
need to say by what percentage and
over what period.
ACHIEVEMENTS

8. Use your common sense here. If
you have an advanced degree, few
people are going to be concerned
about the exams you took when
you were 16 years old.
Make sure to also include any
training courses that you have done
that are relevant to the job that you
are applying for.
EDUCATION AND
TRAINING

9. These are optional, but should you
choose to include a section on
hobbies and interests, keep it very
brief.
Avoid saying anything that could be
contentious (e.g. political or
religious affiliations), and wherever
possible, use the space to show
how your personality is suited to
that of the business for which you’re
applying.
INTERESTS

10. Actual references are rarely included
on CVs. It is usually fine to simply
say ‘References are available on
request’.
The employer will then make later
arrangements to contact the
referees.
REFERENCES

11. Good luck in your job search!
CV writing is not a difficult skill,
however if you get the basics right
then you increase your chances of
success significantly.
If you are seeking out new career
opportunities then you may find
these blogs to be valuable:
• Searching for a new job? Avoid
these 6 LinkedIn mistakes
• How to impress a recruiter with
your resume/CV
• Focus your interview on fit

12. ABOUT HAYS
Hays is a leading global
professional recruiting group, the
expert at recruiting qualified,
professional and skilled people
worldwide.
With over 8,748 staff operating from
244 offices in 33 countries across
20 specialisms, last year we placed
around 57,000 candidates into
permanent jobs, and around
212,000 people into temporary
assignments.
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