How to Write the Perfect CV Resume: A Step-by-step Guide to a First Class Curriculum Vitae

A perfect curriculum vitae can mean the difference between getting a dream job and staying unemployed.

After spending hours scouring the job pages, the last thing any applicant would want is to have his CV put aside due to basic errors or bad spelling that could have taken just minutes to rectify.

A good CV can make the difference between making the shortlist or having an applicant’s handiwork assigned to the bin, regardless of qualifications and experience.

Use CV to Make a Good First Impression

When writing a CV one must remember that it will be the first time a prospective employer will have come across the applicants details. Employers do not have any other information on which to base an opinion, therefore a curriculum vitae is as important as a personal introduction.

Although it is fundamental to ensure a CV is presented in a clear typeface, on good quality white paper and with no spelling mistakes, a decent layout will only take a candidate so far. After all, the CV is probably one of the most under-read documents a person will ever produce. So it is essential to make sure the content portrays a person in the best possible way.

Personal Resume Details

  • It is recommended a CV start with the name of the applicant at the top of the first page, followed by his home address.
  • Make sure adequate contact details are provided, including home telephone number, mobile number and email address.
  • It is not always necessary to detail the sex of an applicant, but some CVs do include marital status, nationality and date of birth.

Detail Employment and Education

After personal details have been listed, the person producing a CV needs to consider whether his educational attributes should now appear before any work history.

Generally the rule is that if a person has recently left school or college then it’s an education history that should make up the second part of a resume. But if a prospective employee has been in employment for some time, then it is better to lead off with a work history.

  • Only go back as far as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), and put recent qualifications first. List the subject, grades, dates they were achieved and where they were studied.
  • If a person is still studying, then this needs to be on the CV along with a predicted grade if known.

A person’s work history should make it clear to a future employer what his responsibilities were within a role and should include positions that are most appropriate to the job now being applied for.

  • Starting with recent employment, provide information about the dates worked for the company, job title and reason for leaving.
  • List any work experience, voluntary or charity work undertaken.

Additional Information to List on CV

This part of a CV is an excellent opportunity to explain how candidates match a job description and to really sell themselves. It can be used to detail hobbies, achievements, or extra skills such as whether a person can speak any languages or drive. If candidates struggle with presenting these details effectively, they may benefit from help with writing an essay to communicate their experiences clearly and persuasively. It is also helpful to look into an email signature guide to create a professional impression in correspondence, ensuring all details are put in a positive light.

For example, if a person is the head of a darts team, they should highlight how it equips them with team skills, organizational skills, and shows reliability.

Provide References

Although it is not vital to list any references on a CV, it does show prospective employers that there is nothing to hide and that can speed up the recruitment process.

If references are included, detail their name, job title, address and contact details. It would also be worth stating whether they can be contacted before the interview or not.

CV Mistakes

To make sure an application is a success, stay away from the following pitfalls.

  • Creating a mass-produced CV for all job applications. It is important to tailor a CV for the job that is being applied for. Include skills that are listed on the employer’s job description and show research has been carried out into the role and the company.
  • The curriculum vitae is too long. Do not allow a CV to exceed two A4 pages in length. Busy bosses do not have time to read epics and really are not interested in what job a person did when he was 14.
  • The CV is littered with spelling mistakes. Before sending in a CV make sure it has been read and any spelling mistakes corrected.

By remembering a CV is the passport to a dream job, applicants can be assured that a well presented, well structured resume will help them on to the short list.

Applicants who do not put in time and effort to do their research will find they fail. In the current economic climate there are not that many people who can afford to do that.

By Robin Talley
Robin Talley