If ‘Find a new job’ is at the top of your to-do list this year then it’s time to get your CV in order. Your CV is a hiring manager’s first impression of you, so you need to make sure it’s a good one! Follow the nine tips below and you’ll be well on your way to bagging the job of your dreams.

1)  Decide what you’re looking for…

Before you begin compiling your CV you need to decide what it is you’re looking for. It doesn’t need to be too specific, however having an idea of the direction you want to take your career in will  help  you  write  a  more  compelling  CV.  For  example,  if  you’re  looking  to  step  up  in  to  a management position keep that in mind when you begin to write or update your CV as you want that to come across clearly to the employer.

2) Tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for

One  of  the  most  important  elements  of  writing  a  successful  CV  is  tailoring  it  to  the  job  you’re applying  for.  So  once  you’ve  found  a  role  you  need  to  look  carefully  at  what  the  employer  is hoping to find. For example in the job description they may state that they want someone with “a track  record  of  successfully  leading  a  team”.  If  you  have  that  experience  then  make  sure  you make that clear. You should never rely on a hiring manager finding key information hidden within lots of unnecessary text as it simply won’t happen.

3) Highlight your current role

You  should  really  dedicate  a  good  amount  of  space,  roughly  half  a  page,  to  your  role  and responsibilities in your current position. Though an employer will be interested in previous roles and how your career has developed, they will be most interested in what you’re doing right now. Showcase your achievements and abilities, paying attention to how they relate to the role you’re applying  for.  If  your  current  position  isn’t  as  relevant  as  older  positions,  or  if  you  haven’t  been there  a  long  time  then  don’t  worry.  Still  highlight  how  the  role  relates,  and  put  a  little  extra emphasis on your previous role.

4) Keep your achievements tangible

If you’ve increased productivity by an estimated 35% then tell the employer! If you’ve achieved a perfect attendance record or handled an account worth over £1 million then tell the employer that too.  Hiring  managers  like  to  see  tangible  results  as  it  helps  them  to  separate  one  CV  from  the other. It makes your achievements more convincing and realistic and demonstrates that you’re a candidate that they just have to meet.

5) Tell the truth

It’s very tempting to lie our way in to an interview, especially if we feel we could easily do the job! However it’s so important that you tell the truth on your CV. Instead of lying or exaggerating your experience, think hard about what you have achieved in your role. You might have successfully handled difficult employees or started a new initiative. No matter how small the achievement it will mean more than an achievement you’ve lied about that could trip you up further down the line!

6) Don’t go on and on…

A CV ideally shouldn’t be any longer than two sides of A4. If you’re very experienced and you feel you  need  more  space  to  showcase  everything  you’ve  done  then  just  try  to  highlight  what’s important. Also don’t provide unnecessary details such as martial status as it wastes space and simply won’t matter to an employer. Use a neat and simple layout that allows a good amount of text but won’t overwhelm the reader. Breaking up the sections will help the information flow and make it much more digestible.

7) Explain the gaps

Gaps on your CV are often inevitable, it might be due to redundancy or perhaps raising a family. Rather than simply hoping a recruiter doesn’t notice you should briefly explain the gaps in your employment. You don’t need to be ashamed of any time you’ve had away from work, whatever the   reason   may   be.   However   hiring   managers   can   sometimes   get   suspicious   if   gaps   in employment aren’t explained as they can feel like the candidate is trying to hide something, so be sure to explain why.

8) Get your online presence in order

As well as your CV you should no longer underestimate the power of social media and how that can  be  accessed  by  any  potential  employers.  Employers  are  highly  likely  to  look  you  up  on LinkedIn  for  example  so  ensure  that  your  CV  and  LinkedIn  profile  are  in  harmony,  especially around dates and job titles. It’s also a chance for you to showcase more of your abilities by asking for endorsements from people you’ve worked with previously.

9) Check your spelling and grammar!

It  might  seem  like  a  minor  point  but  getting  the  spelling  and  grammar  right  on  your  CV  is  so important.  We  speak  to  recruiters  regularly  who  will  dismiss  a  candidate  for  errors  on  their  CV, even  if  the  role  doesn’t  involve  report  writing.  It  can  show  the  recruiter  that  you  have  poor attention to detail or give the impression that you’ve rushed the application. So if you’re not too strong on spelling and grammar then ask a friend to check over it for you!

Good  luck!  If  you  need  any  help  in  your  job  search  get  in  touch.  Here  at  CNM  Recruitment  we specialise in Built Environment recruitment across Yorkshire and the North of England. We’d love to help you find that next step.