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Posted by Niche Recruitment
28th August 2024
How to write a CV to stand out
Knowing how to write a CV to make you stand out from the crowd is crucial in today’s competitive job market. You’ve got the experience, the qualifications and the drive, now you just need a well-crafted CV to match and help you start your new chapter.
A detailed document describing your career journey step by step, the purpose of your CV is to give recruiters and or hiring teams an overview of your experience. But, they’ll also be keen to see your educational background and qualifications, skills and a summary of your professional profile and ambitions.
Updating your CV when you change jobs, gain a new skill or accomplish something new means your CV is always up-to-date and ready to put forward to potential employers.
Here are our top tips to help you write a CV to make you stand out from the crowd.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Your CV should include the following information so recruitment teams and hiring managers can get in touch;
Make sure your contact details are correct so potential employers can get in touch!
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Your professional summary should be at the top of your CV, providing a brief statement that summarises your skills, experience, and career objectives. This section should be tailored to the job you are applying for.
Here’s an example of a professional summary [Graphic Designer]:
‘Highly creative and multitalented Graphic Designer with 8 years’ experience in multimedia, marketing and print design. Experience both in-house and agency side, with an innate ability to build and maintain relationships. Accustomed to performing in deadline-driven environments, working within budget requirements and delivering campaigns to company and brief standards. Passionate about developing my career in a forward-thinking organisation.’
WORK EXPERIENCE
You should write your CV in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position at the top. You should include;
Bullet points make it clearer for the reader, and if you can, include key statistics. For example, if you are a Business Development Manager, you could quote the sales value you’ve brought into the business over a 3, 6 or 12-month period.
EDUCATION
Education and qualifications should be listed on your CV. Certificates can also be included if they are relevant to the types of roles you are applying for. The information you should include is;
It isn’t always necessary to include your secondary education within this section, particularly if you have higher education. However, aim to list your two most recent educational experiences.
SKILLS
Include a section that lists any skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Technical skills such as proficiency in software showcase your competencies within your industry and similar job roles. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Project Management & CRM systems are all great examples. Soft skill such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are equally as important.
A simple bullet-point list is perfect for this section.
REFERENCES
It’s good practice to make sure the people who could be called upon for references are aware that you’re passing on their details to potential employers. If you choose to include the names and contact information of your referees, make sure that you ask their permission. Alternatively, you can write ‘references available on request’ on your CV and pass on contact details when the recruitment process gets to the referencing stage.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW ROLE?
Writing a CV to help you stand out takes time, and it can be a daunting task. Whether you’ve just started your job search and are seeking your first position, or are looking for your next career move, our specialist team are here to help.
Here at Niche Recruitment, we help job seekers land their dream job roles across numerous industry sectors. Could you be our next success story?
