CV Preparation Guide
Candidates often ask us how to produce the best CV and in particular, what the employer is looking for.
The best CVs that we have seen are often the most simple and tailor-made for the job. Remember what the employer is really looking for is information. The most important work experience is going to be the most recent or most relevant to the role you have applied for.
Six tips to create a great CV:
- Include the dates (i.e. March 2024 to February 2026) for each role, with the most recent role at the beginning, working backwards through your experience.
- Elaborate on the most recent 10 years only. If you have more than 10 years' experience, summarise the rest, giving the date, place of work and position held only. Try to keep the CV to a 4 page maximum.
- Keep it simple – list the specific job functions for each role (4–5 bullet points per role should do it).
- Show your personality — include a short personal profile, key achievements and interests.
- Spelling – spell check everything, as mistakes are very noticeable. Make sure spell check is set to check capitals too.
- Formatting – use a clear, easy-to-read font so the document looks tidy. Avoid colour and block capitals, as they make text harder to read.
The most important thing in your CV is that the information provided is easy to find, clear and readable. This is a good opportunity to show your writing style and formatting skills – keep it simple. Your CV is always going to be a 'work-in-progress', so it's good to update it every now and then and keep a digital copy somewhere safe.
