When creating a CV, how you present it is just as important as the content. You can have all the necessary experience and skills, but if it’s presented sloppily, recruiters will not focus on it too much. Having a neat and clean layout will help them to find information easily and determine what kind of candidate you are. Here are six top tips on how to present your CV.
A common mistake is adding a title to your CV other than your name. There is no need to add “Curriculum Vitae” or “Resume” to the top of your page. The document is somewhat self-explanatory and anyone reading it will be able to establish what it is in a matter of seconds.
Adding a title like this can take up valuable space on your page which could otherwise be used to sell yourself further as a candidate. Use this space for your name in a relatively large typeface. Allow the recruiter to find out about you, rather than find out what the sheet is.
2. Consistency
Like anything, consistency is key. Be sure to use the same style for each of your section headings, such as Experience, Education and Skills.
Keep your type and font size the same and use bold for these headings. You can vary the appearance of headings and subheadings, but ensure that they are consistent regardless.
3. White Space
White spaces are essential when it comes to marketing. Your CV is a way of marketing yourself which means that white spaces are needed. Adequate white spaces around your text will allow important information to be grouped together.
Using margins of 2.5cm is ideal for keeping your CV neat. However, two pages is the length you want for your CV. This means that if your margins are making it become three pages, reduce them. Only do this once you have shaved down the CV content and if you still need space, cut the margins down slightly.
4. Font
Do not change the font in the middle of your CV. Stick to the same type and try to choose one that is familiar to most people. For example, Times New Roman or Arial are common and neat fonts.
There are certainly other options apart from these two, but remember to keep it formal. Don’t forget that Comic Sans is not your friend when it comes to CVs. Not only is it informal, but you may also give off the impression that you are not taking the job seriously.
5. Imagery
It’s important to remember that you do not need images on your CV. Photos of yourself or indeed clip art can distract the recruiters from your ability and relevant content. It could also leave your CV looking rather unprofessional.
Instead, focus on your experience, skills and education. Use this to set you aside from others rather than your looks.
6. Present
After you’ve laid your CV out in a neat and clean way, it’s time to print it out. Where possible, use high-quality paper. If you are photocopying it, make sure that it’s high quality to ensure that all the text is clear.
When posting it out or even handing it into places, use A4 envelopes. Do not fold it up into a smaller one as this can make it look messy and can take away from some of the text. You want your CV to land on someone’s desk in a professional manner. It’s possible that it could end up in the bin if it’s not presented well.
Have you any tips on how to present a CV? Let us know down in the comments. Here's a list of more Dos and Don'ts when creating a CV!
CVs are crucial in getting you where you want to go with your career path. However, even if you have all of the necessary skills and have a perfectly presented CV, you’re still not guaranteed to land the job. There are many reasons for this, but it’s visibility to employers is a major one. Here are four top tips to get your CV noticed.
A good tip for creating CVs is to think like a hiring manager. Most recruiters will use a tool to search CVs for keywords. These keywords can be on their own or as part of a sequence or combination of words. This means that the terminology you use is vital.
For example, if you’re a retail assistant and the job position is for a sales advisor, you more than likely have the same skillset required. However, your CV may not rank highly if at all in one of these searches.
It’s important to think if there are other names for your previous positions and to include these at various points around your CV. If you haven’t had work experience in this role, include positions you aspire to get. This will add the keyword to your CV and make you easier to find.
2. Industry specification
Specific skills will help you to get noticed, just as keywords will. It’s important to use terminology specific to the industry to maximise your chances of getting noticed.
If you can use particular software, mention them. If you have learned any specific skills, mention what they are. Even if these elements are not applicable to the role, it could help your CV to be found.
It can be easy to omit some of your abilities because they don’t seem relevant to the job. However, even mentioning your proficiency in systems such as Salesforce could help to set you apar from others.
3. Expand
It’s important to include the jargon specific to your industry. However, you don’t need to include everything you can think of. Instead, expand on them.
You could be underselling your exact abilities by saying that you can use Microsoft Office, for example. Make sure to say you can use Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc. This highlights your abilities as well as makes you more noticeable to recruiters.
Where possible, mentioning what level you’re at with these programmes. If you’re an expert in Word, say it! Expanding on you competency can be much more effective.
4. Spelling
Correct spelling and grammar are important in every scenario when it comes to CVs. However, in scenarios like this, it’s essential.
Generally speaking, employers won’t be impressed if they see that multiple words are spelt incorrectly. They may overlook the odd typo, but a CV search tool won’t be able to.
CV searches can be redundant if you haven’t spelt a certain keyword correctly. It’s essential to re-read everything over and over again before you submit it. Spellings can be the difference between you getting the job and not. It needs to be perfect.
Next, check out our list of Dos and Don'ts of CVs!
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to determine what a potential employer wants from you. This is particularly true when it comes to your CV. While you can add the base skills and adapt the CV to the job application, you will also need to prove you have them. You need to back yourself up and prove that you haven’t been embellishing the truth.
Here are five skills that employers will look for in every single job applicant.
Regardless of what industry you’re applying to get in, hiring managers will value commercial awareness. What this means is that having an understanding of the likes of market trends as well as the company and its competitors is essential.
Of course, work experience or study will help you to develop commercial awareness. However, part-time, taking on an internship or extra-curricular activities can also help you gain a better understanding of whatever industry you’re trying to move into.
Even following the company on social media and reading up on it will help you become more familiar with the work they do.
Whatever way you decide to brush up on these skills, be sure to demonstrate them. Try to give practical examples of times you have used them.
2. Teamwork
No matter what job you’re going for, at some point you’ll be expected to demonstrate your ability to work in a team.
Skills regarding teamwork can be developed through a number of practices. Whether it’s from working a part-time job, taking up a hobby or simple from endeavours in school, teamwork can be a valuable skill to learn.
Make sure to layout on your CV whatever example of teamwork you have. There are many different places you can place it. It can be in your skill section, hobbies, education or work experience.
Survey the job description and try to use your examples accordingly.
3. Communication
This is another skill that is valued regardless of what industry you plan to move into. It could be communicating with customers, clients or other team members. Whatever experience you have, communication is an essential part of working with others.
The problem is that almost anyone who has ever worked has the same experience. Be sure to use examples of where you’ve developed your communicative skills, but try to narrow it down to specific examples.
However, communication skills don’t have to just be verbal. Written communicative skills can also be extremely valuable to you as a candidate. Expressing yourself on paper or email is an important aspect of communication in the workplace.
4. Organisation
Organisational skills are essential to ensure the smooth running of many operations in the workplace. Demonstrating your ability to prioritise and manage your time will be favoured by your employer.
Use real examples of this to show the hiring manager and your future employer that you are both self-motivated and proactive. Where possible, use your achievements to demonstrate this as well.
Some industries will have a focus on a skill like this, such as media or graphic design, while others will just see it as an added bonus. Once again, use the job descriptions to shape your CV in regards to your skills.
5. Specific skills
There is no doubt that whatever job you apply for, there will be a specific skill set required.
Having the basic skills such as commercial awareness, teamwork, communication and organisation will stand to you and make you a better worker. However, you may need to have a particular set of skills to land the job. For example, a job in graphic design may require you to have skills in software such as Photoshop, while a job in coding may require you to have skills in coding.
Make sure to be specific in your abilities in whatever field you plan to work in. The last thing you want is to sell yourself short or have the hiring manager overlook your CV as it is not specific.
Check out this list of Dos and Don'ts for the next step in creating the perfect CV!
There are many dos and don'ts to consider when making a CV. Your CV can be the key to getting your dream job. They can also open doors for you that provide stepping stones to a career that you will love. Creating a good CV is a craft that is important to nail.
Here are the top dos and don’ts of making a CV.
Do keep it short
CVs are used to showcase you as an employee. They will have your experience in previous work positions, your skills and also other information about you. However, it’s important to keep it concise. Don’t ramble too much about your capabilities or experiences. Try to keep your CV to two pages or two sides of an A4 page.
Do present things in a logical order
Presentation is just as important as information. Hiring managers go through hundreds of CVs and if yours is the sloppiest of the bunch, it won’t look good for you. Be sure to use sufficient spacing and clear section headings. List your work experience, education as well as achievements in reverse chronological order. Use a different colour or bold text for headings and achievements.
Do choose a professional font
Again, presentation is essential. A professional, clear font will also make sure your CV can be easily read and scanned through easily. Think Arial, not Comic Sans.
Do play to your strengths
Use your CV to highlight your strong points. Don’t dedicate the biggest section of your CV to your work experience if you feel that it may hold you back. Instead, rearrange your CV to showcase your education more.
Do use bullet points
Visual aspects such as bullet points can draw attention to certain key points or relevant information. Allowing these points to stand out will make it easier for the hiring manager to find significant points without having to go through all of the information.
Do…
Include your contact details. Use a professional email address. Maintain a consistent format as well as presentation. Ask someone to check over your spelling also grammar mistakes after you have checked.
Don’t be afraid of white space
Once you have included all of the necessary and relevant information, white gaps are your friend. Even if you think it looks quite bare, sometimes less is more on your CV.
Don’t try to include too much
Your CV should reflect on your ability as an employee. However, it shouldn’t be your entire life story. Ensure to tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for. This will allow you to focus on the most important aspects while trimming out the waffle and generalisations.
Don’t include irrelevant information
When tailoring your CV to the role you’re applying for, the following question is crucial. “Will it help me get the role?” is an important question that will help you shave down the parts of your CV that don’t hold any weight. For example, if your hobbies and interests are not relevant to getting to the job, it could be best to leave them out.
Don’t forget your cover letter
This is an easy mistake to make. However, having a cover letter is an important element of your application. It will help you to reinforce why you are the perfect candidate for the role. Even if the job advertisement does not state that you need one, include one anyway. It will sell you and your capability even further.
Don’t experiment with size
If your CV is too short, do not try to make it longer by using a bigger font size. If your CV is too long, do not try to make it shorter by using a smaller one. Unfortunately, these things will not go unnoticed.
Don’t…
Use crazy colours or fonts. Include unnecessary references. Include an inappropriate photo.
Can you think of more dos and don'ts of making a CV? Let us know down in the comments! Next, check out this guide on how to nail your CV!
The social media giant TikTok is to create 200 exciting new jobs as part of a huge announcement for Ireland.
The company has said that the new jobs will be created early next year with details of the new positions coming soon.
The online giant has grown its workforce in Dublin hugely from 20 to now 1,100 following the news.
Famed for its short-form videos that go viral worldwide, the company also recently announced a €420 million data centre for Dublin.
The development set for 2022 will create hundreds of new job roles that will see Ireland becoming the home for TikTok’s European data operation.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said TikTok had an incredible success story.
He said, "Its rise globally has been mirrored by its impressive growth in Ireland – from just twenty employees at the start of 2020 to over 900 today.”
"I welcome TikTok’s commitment to Ireland and its pledge to increase numbers to over 1,100 in 2021."
He added: "These are high quality jobs, but more specifically, they are aimed at ensuring that people can use the app safely while upholding the highest data protection standards.
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