Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing your current CV, take a look at the tips and template we’ve created to help.
- Cover all bases – Detail contact information, education & qualifications, work experience (including relevant volunteering and specific projects) and relevant skills.
- Back up your claims – When claiming that you posses a certain characteristic or skill, provide evidence to support it. For example, if you work well in a team, provide examples of when this has happened, such as teamwork on a project, being part of a team sport, etc.
- Keep your CV up to date – Even if you’re happy in your current position, you should be updating your CV regularly. It is easy to forget certain projects and/or tasks carried out in previous roles, so updating the CV while you’re still in the position reduces risk of forgetting important information. This means you’ll be prepared when you do eventually begin a job search.
- Don’t over-complicate it – Ideally, a CV should be no longer than 2 pages. All that your CV needs to do is provide enough information to get to the interview stage. It should simply be a summary of your relevant skills and experience. You don’t have to detail everything you’ve ever done – tailor it to highlight your relevant skills and experience. It’s important to keep the CV concise to leave room for expansion and discussion during interview.
- Check and re-check – Use a spell checker and ensure grammar is correct. It’s always a good idea to get multiple people to look over it too – people within the same industry as you (to look at the content) and people from other industries (to look at structure and spelling).
- Keep it in chronological order – Your most recent employment should be listed first and work your way backwards. The same with education and any other dated information.
- Know your strengths – If you’re a recent graduate with no relevant experience, list your strongest assets first (i.e. your qualifications). Make sure the potential employer doesn’t see your non-relevant experience first. First impressions count, even on a CV!
Click here to use our CV Template.
If you work in the construction industry and would like any further help with your CV, get in touch and one of our Consultants will be happy to help!