How to write a good CV

You're on the market for a new job and you know that you need a good CV to kick-start your job hunt. If you're struggling to know where to start, here's CV Shed's quick and dirty guide to how to write a good CV will help you to get job-hunt ready as quickly as possible. 

What are the features of a good CV?

While every CV is different, the best ones have some key qualities that make them stand out:

• Key sections with clear headings
• An easy-to-ready layout
• Concise, focused wording

Now you know the main features of a good CV, let's take a look at each in a bit more detail.

The main sections of a good CV

If you're writing a CV for the UK market, you'll need the following section headings:

Name and contact details

Phone number and email address are the bare minimum - ideally you'll include your location too. A full address is no longer necessary - who sends letters any more?! You may also like to consider a link to your LinkedIn profile or your online portfolio, if you have one.

Professional profile

Often neglected by vitally important, the profile is equivalent to your elevator pitch. Write a few lines summarising who you are, what you do and how you add value to a business. Consider including your job title, industry, management level, unique selling point, key successes, drivers and so on. Your aim with this section is to make a great first impression and convince the recruiter to read the rest of the CV. 

Key skills

Use keywords based on hard skills and align them with job adverts for your target job. Usually, a list of 8-12 key skills is sufficient, but if you're looking to change direction or have little experience, you may like to expand on each skill by adding an example or two of when you've used each skill. In this case, you may need to focus on soft skills, rather than hard skills.

Career history

Write in reverse chronological order. Include your job title, employer name, dates of employment, key responsibilities and a summary of your achievements for each role. If you have an extensive career history, you only need to go into detail for the last 10 years or so. If you've held several roles with the same, or similar, responsibilities, consider grouping them under one heading to avoid duplication. Why waste your time typing out the same thing over and over again, when the recruiter won't have any interest in reading the same thing over and over again? Respect their time and be concise and to the point.

Qualifications

Again, write in reverse chronological order. List the level of your qualification, the subject and the year. Recent graduates might also like to include key modules and the titles of key projects, theses or dissertations. Those with a more extensive work history may have courses and certificates to include as well.

Further details

This section can be used for any information that doesn’t directly link to any of the sections above – consider languages, IT proficiency, security clearance, availability and anything else that may set you apart from other candidates. 

Layout advice for a good CV

When you're considering how to write a good CV, layout is a pretty hot topic. Every recruiter will have their own idea about what constitutes the ideal layout for a good CV. What one loves another may hate, so I’ve got some general layout guidelines for you that will still allow you to put your own stamp on it.

Keep critical information in the top half of the first page

That’s what the recruiter sees first and that’s what will make that all-important first impression. If it’s not recent or impressive, it doesn’t need to be taking up prime real estate. Newspapers always put their headline news "above the fold" - the same principle applies to your CV. Major achievements, your current job and your unique selling point should all be in the top half of the first page. Something you did 20 years ago should not. 

Prioritise information

If your education is more recent or impressive than your career, put that section above the career history. If your technical skills are more important in your target role than your current work experience, put those first. If something is outdated or irrelevant, leave it off altogether. 

Keep it simple

A CV that’s easy to read makes life easier for the recruiter. Structure the CV clearly and don’t cram information in – a solid wall of text is very off-putting. Bullet points are the preferred layout choice, as they're easy to skim and encourage brevity. ATSs also prefer layouts with no graphics, text boxes, logos or photos, using a clear, standard font. 

Choosing the wording for your CV

Choosing the right words can transform a good CV into a great CV.  Here are my top tips to help you to stand out and maintain a recruiter’s interest.

Reflect the advert

Analyse some adverts for roles you’re interested in and note any words that keep popping up. Those are the ones you need to include – for example, if the advert is looking for someone with experience in managing budgets, make sure your CV states that you can manage budgets. Recruiters aren’t mind readers - if it’s not on your CV they won’t give you the benefit of the doubt when they have a huge pile of CVs to look at. 

Use dynamic vocabulary

Choose your wording carefully to make your CV sound more interesting and to make you sound more credible. For example, instead of saying you were “responsible for customer service”, say you “delivered great customer service”. Instead of saying you did “sales”, say you “maximised sales”, or “drove sales” or “achieved sales targets”. 

Avoid repetition

Repetition makes for a pretty boring CV. It wastes your time writing it and a recruiter’s time reading it. Don’t just say you were “managing this, managing that and managing the other”. Choose more interesting ways of sharing your responsibilities - for example “led this, directed that and oversaw the other”.

Write without pronouns

It may seem a bit unnatural, but CVs are conventionally written without pronouns. Rather than saying “I sell cars”, write “selling cars”. 

Top tips for writing a good CV

To elevate your CV from good to great, use CV Shed's Top Tips:

• Stay truthful and honest
• Avoid jargon
• Keep page breaks at the end of sections wherever possible
• Don't write more than two pages
• Focus on how you add value to a business
• Don't include references or contact details of referees
• Always tailor it to the job advert
• Do a final check on spelling and grammar before you send it out

The golden rule

When you're wondering how to write a good CV, remember that the golden rule is that every part of it needs to SELL you. If the words don't sell you, leave them out or re-write them. If the layout doesn't sell you, rework it. Your ultimate aim is to sell your experience, skills and qualifications, leaving the reader in no doubt that you're the right person to fill their vacancy.

More CV help

Armed with these top tips, you know how to write a good CV and make the first steps towards a more rewarding role. If you're still unsure about writing your CV, save yourself the hassle and use CV Shed's CV writing service! You'll have a new CV before you've even finished your box set!