When it comes to winning your ideal job, your CV is one of your most effective tools for making sure you stand out from the crowd of candidates all fighting for the same role. Your CV is your chance to convince employers that they want to meet you.

The key to getting noticed through your CV and getting the chance to win the job you are applying for is to make sure your CV is structured correctly and you make sure that you market your skills, experience and unique selling points in a way that will attract the employer’s attention. 

If you are unsure on how to create a winning CV, follow these simple but essential steps.

Writing a CV

Do your research

Before you start writing out your CV, you should research the position you are applying for, the industry you want to work in, and of course, your target employers. It’s vital to think about what your potential employers want to see from an applicants CV. 

Research the latest innovations in your industry, write down the most popular requirements from employers and link these requirements to your own skills, knowledge and experience in a way that not only shows that you are qualified for the job, but helps you stand head and shoulders above other applicants. 

Research the important industry keywords that employers will be looking for!

Make sure the structure of your CV is right

It’s important to make sure that employers can navigate your CV with ease and pick out the key information that they are looking for. 

Make sure each section of your CV is divided with clear headings. Remember, employers will be put off by a CV that is too busy, or difficult to read. Use a simple font, aim to restrict your CV to a page or two and focus on providing your key information. Employers need to know what it is about you that makes you the best candidate for the job, so they don’t need to know your entire life story – focus on the elements of your career experience that link you to the job requirements. 

Sell yourself

To make a big impression on those reading your CV, it’s important to take every opportunity to sell yourself. What are the unique selling points that set you apart from other candidates? 

Your profile at the start of your CV should let employers know all about your skills and knowledge, but also give them a good idea of your personality. You don’t want to sound like a walking cliche, so provide a glimpse of who you are as a person and what you can bring to a job. 

In providing your career history, make sure you take every chance to show off the most important things you have to offer. What are skills that have allowed you to be successful in a role? What have you learned that will help you in your future career? Job titles alone don’t say much about your career, so it’s important to describe the job and your achievements in this position.

Focus on measurable achievements

Employers want proof that you are the best-fit candidate for the job. Whilst you will know doubt highlight important traits that make you an ideal candidate, it’s essential to provide measurable evidence of your skills and experience that can be cross referenced with job specifications.

Focus on what is asked of you in a job specification and provide measurable examples of how you meet or exceed what is required. Link the specifications to the job you want to the career path you have taken so far. How have you been successful in each job and what have you learned along the way?

Focus on your key wins and how they can benefit your prospective employer.

Check, check and check again

Any mistakes in your CV can damage your chances of being chosen for an interview, so it’s essential to proofread it thoroughly before sending it out to employers. Remember, it’s always best to get at least a second opinion from someone you trust, as it can be easy to miss your own mistakes. Any spelling or grammar errors can appear sloppy, making you look unprofessional, so never send off a CV until you are 100% sure that it is complete free of errors.

Seek help from a specialist recruitment consultant

As specialists in recruitment for construction, mechanical, electrical, data centres and data communications sectors, we are here to help you ensure your CV has the winning formula for the jobs you want to apply for.

For help in creating a winning CV, contact us today by email, or give us a call at 0845 070 3883.