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What Makes a Good CV Design and Layout?
HMForces.co.uk
Although a good CV can’t get you a job, a poor CV will keep you from getting one.
A CV is a professional marketing tool, a written record of your accomplishments and professional credentials.
Because it usually represents the first impression a prospective employer will have of you, your CV must be top-notch in format, content, and appearance.
Follow these simple guidelines to improve the impression your CV makes:
What to do
DO use a chronological format. Start by listing your current or most recent job and work back from there. This is the format most employers are looking for, and anything else makes them suspicious and impatient. Although every rule has exceptions, stick to this format to be safe.
DO focus on your accomplishments and more interesting or marketable skills and experiences. Your CV should highlight the best that you have to offer, not read like a job description. If you’ve had Officer or Senior staff military experience, the interviewer will expect you to demonstrate that you have had a competant level of administrative and managerial experience. Include special activities such as conducting training, making presentations to outside groups, sitting on interdisciplinary committees, and budgeting and scheduling responsibility. If your experience is limited, focus on the more significant skills, such as staff training, administration, and human resource experience.
DO print your CV on good quality paper and with good quality print. Most laser printers will do the job. If you don’t have a good printer, put your CV on a disk and bring it to a local printer or office services company that has a letter-quality printer. Ask to see samples of good-quality CV paper. Pick one that is either white or off-white. Never use coloured paper or paper with designs or borders. Make sure the print on your CV is crisp, dark, sharp and clear.
What NOT to do
DON’T list personal information about your health, height and weight, marital status, and so on. This information shouldn’t be part of a job search process. In fact, asking about such matters in an interview is illegal, so don’t offer this information. You want the interviewer to focus on your job-related experience, not your personal attributes.
DON’T list hobbies and personal activities such as reading, skiing, and going to the pub. Discussing these in an interview is fine if you’re asked—they can even help establish rapport with a prospective employer. But this information, just like your height and weight, doesn’t belong on your CV.
DON’T list references with names and addresses. In fact, you don’t even need to say “References Available upon Request.” If employers want references, they’ll ask for them. Keep your CV free of unnecessary information. A winning CV will you get noticed for the best positions and can facilitate a promotion from your current position. A strong CV can also help you command and negotiate a higher salary. Always put your best foot forward on your CV to attract the most desirable job offers. Follow these tips to make your professional CV shine and review this sample CV again once you have found the vacancy you’re looking for.
Present Your Value Proposition in a Qualifications Summary
Lead your CV with a qualifications summary that provides an overview of the value you bring to the table.
Paint a picture of what you have to offer by including a narrative statement of your goal, specialty area, level of experience and any other top credentials.
In the Monster UK CV Builder, use the Career Objective field to present your summary.
Add an Expertise Section
A bulleted list of your proficiency areas incorporates important keywords into your CV (so you’re found in an electronic search) and gives hiring managers a snapshot of your capabilities. Your expertise (or Key Skills if you haven’t yet developed expertise) could be specialty areas (e.g., mechanics, HR, administration, aviation) or skills (Legal, ICT, case management). If you are creating your CV on Monster UK, use the Skills section to present your areas of expertise.
Detail Your Experience
Hiring managers want to understand the scope of your experience so they can see if you’re a good match for the job opening. When describing your experience, write about the type of facility, your caseload and area of specialisation.
Demonstrate you’re a Top Performer
Your experience will be stronger if you include your contributions to each of your employers. Think about how you went above and beyond your job duties to make a positive contribution to your employer, and the community. Did you serve on any boards or committees? Did you help reorganise or launch new facilities or services? Did you provide training? Did you promote health and safety and well-being by providing presentations and seminars? Were you known for your strong leadership-advocacy skills? Did you help your employer pass an audit or achieve accreditation? Did you train and orient new employees? By providing details about your accomplishments, you’re showing potential employers that you would be a valuable asset to their team.
Pick the Right Format If You’re Changing Careers
If you’re a career changer and your previous experience is completely unrelated, you might require a functional CV format. This style allows you to emphasise your related skills and training, while downplaying your work history.
Highlight Academic and other Achievements
In your Education section, mention any academic achievements, qualifications, scholarships and fellowships etc. Newly qualified nurses should consider including their course work and related study days.
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