After writing your CV, it is always helpful to go through the following checklist:
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First impression – what first impression does your CV create?
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Check the wording and grammar, for example, is there consistency in your tenses and pronouns?
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Spelling mistakes – have you run a spell check and re-read a printed copy thoroughly? Have you asked somebody else to read it through for you too?
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Do they feel it is an authentic representation of who you are and what you have to offer?
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Is your CV well-presented? Is it too crowded or too fussy?
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Are the margins too narrow/wide? Is there enough/too much white space?
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When a reader scans your CV for continuity in your career, are there any unexplained gaps?
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How do you come across – interesting, team player or loner?
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In your Interests/Achievements section, consider whether you have a range of interests. Consider artistic/creative, team/social, active/physical and intellectual interests. Do you have a mix of these, or are all your interests from one category? Three or four is the norm.
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The following personal details are no longer included in CVs as, by law, they should not affect recruitment decisions - age or date of birth, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality or marital or relationship status and whether you have any children.
It is worth going through this checklist with a friend or colleague to check that you have covered all of the above. The slightest error can make all the difference to an application, particularly when the application process is very competitive and there are many applicants.
Once you have a final version of your CV, save it as a PDF file to prevent inadvertent changes and use this copy to send to potential employers or contacts. You should make sure that you always have an up-to-date copy of your CV in Word format on a USB stick or readily available on your PC. This will enable you to make quick changes and respond to jobs as quickly as possible.
