How to write a strong CV

Writing a strong CV is an essential part of your job search process. Here are some tips to help you create a standout CV for the Professional Services sector:

Choose the Right Format

• Your CV should be in portrait format in either a Word or PDF document.
• Keep your CV layout clean, organised, and easy to read (Professional Services firms particularly expect this).
• Use reverse chronological order, listing your most recent experience first.
• Stick to bullet points and keep the sentences succinct.
• Use consistent fonts and spacing.
• Avoid using too many colours or complex graphics (unless you’re a creative).
• Don’t include a photo of yourself.  

Contact Information

• Include your full name, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile.
• Keep it simple and professional.

Professional Summary

•  Include a brief paragraph that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals. It should show the value you bring to the role.

Work Experience

• List jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Include the company name, location, dates of employment, and job title.
• Undere ach job, list key achievements and responsibilities, emphasising quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased bid success rate by 20% in six months”).
• Use action verbs like “managed,” “led,” “developed,” “increased”.

Education

• Include details of your qualifications (including grades), degree(s), institution(s), graduation year(s).

Skills

• Include hard and soft skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example:
  • Hard skills: software knowledge (Excel, Photoshop, etc.), technical skills, foreign languages.
  • Soft skills: communication, leadership, teamwork, time management.
• Prioritise skills that are specifically listed in the job description.

Certifications & Professional Development

• Include any relevant certifications, courses, workshops, or conferences you've attended.

Interests

• Provide a brief summary of your interests and hobbies, either in a short paragraph o rbullet pointed.   This helps interviewers and potential future employers get to know you better and is often used as a point of discussion during interviews.

Proofread & Edit

• Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Ask someone else to review your CV for feedback.
• Ensure that everything is clear and easy to understand.
• Ensure your CV is up to date and that everything is factually correct.

Be Concise

• Keep your CV to around two-three pages, depending on your level, focusing on the most important and relevant information.
• Use bullet points to make the document scannable.

By following these tips, you can create a CV that effectively showcases your skills and experience while making a great first impression on potential employers!

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