Top Tips to a Winning CV

Top Tips to a Winning CV When it comes to applying for a new job, your CV could be just the ticket to get your foot in the door and secure an interview – but how do you ensure your CV is added to the interview pile rather than thrown straight in the bin? Putting together a successful CV is easy once you know how. It's a case of taking all your skills and experience and tailoring them to the job you're applying for. We’ve put together top tips to guide you in the right direction: 

1. Presentation is key A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented. The layout should always be clean and well structured. Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter's eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there. 

2. Stick to no more than two pages of A4 A good CV is clear, concise and makes every point necessary without waffling, keep it short and sweet. A CV is a reassurance to a potential employer, it's a chance to tick the right boxes. Most will make a judgment about a CV with a quick glance, so stick to a maximum of two pages of A4 paper. 

3. Understand the job description The clues are in the job application, so read the details from start to finish. Take notes and create bullet points, highlighting everything you can satisfy and all the bits you can't. With the areas where you're lacking, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have; this will demonstrate the skills you do have and show how they're transferable. 

4. Tailor the CV to the role When you've established what the job entails and how you can match each requirement, create a CV specifically for that role. Remember, there is no such thing as a generic CV. Every CV you send to a potential employee should be tailored to that role so don't be lazy and hope that a general CV will work because it won't. 

5. Making the most of skills Under the skills section of your CV don't forget to mention key skills that can help you to stand out from the crowd. These could include: communication skills; computer skills; team working; problem solving or even speaking a foreign language. Skills can come out of the most unlikely places, so really think about what you've done to grow your own skills. 

6. Making the most of interests Make yourself sound interesting. Highlight the things that show off skills you've gained and employers look for. Describe any examples of positions of responsibility, working in a team or anything that shows you can use your own initiative. Include anything that shows how diverse, interested and skilled you are. Don't include passive interests like watching TV, solitary hobbies that can be perceived as you lacking in people skills. 

7. Making the most of experience Use assertive and positive language under the work history and experience sections, such as "developed", "organised" or "achieved". Try to relate the skills you have learned to the job role you're applying for. Get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have gained from past work positions – every little helps. 

8. Including references References should be from someone who has employed you in the past and can vouch for your skills and experience. If you've never worked before you're OK to use a teacher or tutor as a referee. Try to include two if you can. 

9. Keep your CV updated It's crucial to review your CV on a regular basis and add any new skills or experience that's missing. For example, if you've just done some volunteering or worked on a new project, make sure they're on there – potential employers are always impressed with candidates who go the extra mile to boost their own skills and experience.