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CV Tips | Top tips on how to write a successful CV | Robert Walters Career Advice
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A CV is a snapshot of your career history and what you’ve achieved in your working life. It’s likely to be the first thing that a prospective employer will see that’s ‘your work’, so it’s vital that you get it right. If your CV doesn’t shine, you may give recruiters an excuse not to shortlist you for interview.
We look at six common CV errors and how you can avoid them.
1. Typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
It’s surprising how many CVs we receive containing spelling mistakes and other basic grammatical errors. These can easily be avoided with a bit of effort. If you submit a CV with mistakes, it will look like you’re careless or couldn’t be bothered to check your work.
Check your CV carefully before you send it. Make sure there aren’t any stray apostrophes (in plural words, such as ‘key performance indicator’s’, for example) and that words which can be spelled differently (such as draught and draft) are in the correct form. Spell check software can pick up some mistakes but it’s not foolproof. Ask a friend to check your spelling if it’s not one of your strengths.
2. Lack of specifics
When an employer looks at your CV, they need to know exactly what you have achieved in your previous roles and how this is relevant. If you were responsible for driving business growth, say exactly how you did it and spell out the results you achieved. Detailing additional projects or initiatives you have been involved in can also add significant value to a CV.
Look at the career information you want to include in your CV. Does it say clearly 1) what your role was, 2) what your responsibilities were, 3) what you achieved and 4) the benefit it delivered to your employer? Are these points clear the first time you skim over your CV? If not, rewrite it until they are.
3. Photographs, colour paper and unusual fonts
We have noticed an increasing tendency for job seekers to ‘jazz up’ their CVs by including photographs of themselves and using unusual fonts or fancy formatting. You might think this will help your CV to stand out, but it may give the impression of style over substance.
Make sure that the words speak for themselves. Keep to a font that looks clean and make sure the design of your CV isn’t cluttered.
4. Long and elaborate sentences
If you use excessively long words and elaborate sentences on your CV, you risk overshadowing your actual achievements. Use bullet points - where appropriate - to help to add structure and clarity. They will also help give recruiting managers the information they want in an easily digestible format.
Check what you’ve written and see if you can rewrite the information so it’s shorter and snappier.
A CV is a snapshot of your career history and what you’ve achieved in your working life.
5. Incorrect contact information
There are few things more frustrating for a recruiter than to have a great CV in front of them and not be able to contact the person whose name is at the top of it.
Make sure your email, phone number and address details are correct.
6. Attempting a ‘one size fits all’ CV
Employers who receive generic, ‘one size fits all’ CVs generally discard them. Most recruiting managers look for tailored CVs explaining exactly why – in terms of achievements and accomplishments in previous roles – the person is appropriate for the role.
As you’re writing your CV, have the job description to hand and look at what you’re writing with a critical eye. Every word should be designed to persuade someone recruiting for this particular role that they should interview you.
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Your CV is often your first chance to make an impression on your employer.
Standing out from the crowd could make the difference between securing an interview and missing out on your ideal role.
Understanding what employers look for and how to present your best self through your CV is a vital professional skill that it is well worth taking the time to develop in order to help you achieve your ambitions.
How long should my CV be?
As you progress in your career you will most likely find your CV growing as you gain more experience. However, you should also consider whether you can omit some information regarding your early work history as this happens.
Generally, keeping you CV to no more than four sides of A4 is a good rule of thumb.
"Providing a full employment history is important, as employers will be likely to ask about any significant gaps,” Suzanne Feeney, country manager of Robert Walters Ireland shares.
“However, once you have been progressing in your career for some time it may be best to remove some of the details of your earliest jobs and focus on your most recent and impressive achievements,"
How much personal information should I include?
Including some personal information such as hobbies and interests is fine, but do so sparingly. Remember that the employer is looking for an overview of your skills so think about what is relevant.
"Consider how your hobbies and interests have equipped you with skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. By presenting personal information in this way you can increase your appeal to an employer and show your personality simultaneously," said Suzanne Feeney, country manager at Robert Walters Ireland.
"These skills don't necessarily need to be directly related to the role in question. Transferable skills or qualities such as being a self-starter or possessing leadership skills are highly valued by employers across a wide range of roles."
Should I put my referees on my CV?
You may choose to include your references on your CV but this isn't essential.
Before being placed in a role your new employer will need to check your references to confirm your employment history so it is worth having your referees in mind when you begin applying for a new role.
"Be sure to confirm that your planned referees are happy to be contacted before supplying their contact information,” Suzanne Feeney continued.
“Even if you have a good relationship with your referee it is still best to avoid making any assumptions when sharing their contact information."
Should I put my photo on my CV?
While it is becoming popular among some professionals to include a personal photo on their CV, many employers will be put off by it.
"Including a personal photo may do more harm than good, as some employers may consider it unprofessional. A better option is to include a professional looking photo on your LinkedIn profile,” Suzanne Feeney advised.
“Many employers will check your professional social media presence as part of the recruitment process and this is a more appropriate place to have a headshot."
Should I put my work email address on my CV?
You should avoid using your work contact details when applying for other positions unless you have clarified this with your current employer.
If you are going to set up a hotmail address or something similar, be sure it is an appropriate address and avoid using nicknames as this could give a negative impression to a future employer.
Should I include a cover letter?
Cover letters are only useful if they are specifically tailored to the role. A generic letter may seem convenient, but by using one you may be giving the impression that you haven't put in any effort.
If you decide to include a cover letter, use it to clearly outline where your skills and experience match those required in the role and ensure that it is correctly addressed.
Contact us
For further CV advice, please contact us in Dublin on +353 (0) 1 633 4111 or at dublin@robertwalters.com to arrange an interview with one of our specialist consultants.
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Statistics show that recruiting employers make up their mind about a CV within 12 seconds, on average. As a result, it is paramount to create a strong first impression. In an ideal world CVs will read in perfect chronological order with no “black holes” that demand justification.
However, this is a rarity and does not take into account the curveballs that life throws at us, which can alter our paths considerably. From the interviewer’s perspective, CVs with gaps or ‘holes’ in them are areas for further investigation.
There may be a number of reasons why people leave one role and have a lengthy gap before commencing another, for example:
- Long-term care of sick spouse or relative
- Study leave
- Going travelling after a long term period of employment
- Redundancy – in recent years, this is something that has affected far more people than ever before
Does it matter?
A good interviewer will always investigate gaps in a CV. If an individual has a history of continuous employment and can justify their period of unemployment there is a very strong case for not holding this against them. Many professionals have been out of work for prolonged periods throughout the recession, however, this is nothing to be ashamed about and most interviewers are very understanding and sympathetic in this instance.
Individuals should be prepared to answer questions which address any gaps in their CV in a truthful and accurate manner at interview.
Can it mean the difference between someone getting a job and being refused a job?
It may mean that your CV will not be selected for an interview as certain employers require up to date skills – that is why you need to portray your work experience in the most positive light possible – match your skills to the role and if they are good enough, an employer may overlook times and dates and call you in for interview.
In an ideal world, CVs will read in perfect chronological order with no “black holes” that demand justification.
Is there anything the candidate can do to make this situation better? Is it better to lie?
Never, ever lie about your dates of employment. They are easily checked and if you are found to be lying your application will be terminated immediately and if any offer has already been extended it will be retracted.
How do you justify CV gaps?
Preparation is vital. Have your answers ready so that when you are asked why you have left jobs you are able to answer easily and naturally. People will respect your honesty. There is no shame in admitting you made a mistake by going to a new job, only to find out it was not what you were looking for, or that the company had undergone a redundancy programme. It is more important to be able to show how you reacted to this and what you have been doing in the interim, e.g. upskilling, volunteer work, networking etc.
How can someone sell themselves and persuade an employer they should be hired?
Interview preparation is vital. Know your strengths and weaknesses and apply them to the job on offer. Do more research than your competition, know more about the company and the job than anyone else and use an interview as an opportunity to show your passion and enthusiasm. Everybody wants to work with a committed individual so even if your skillset is not as up to date as others, your dedication and focus will reap rewards.
Contact us
For further CV advice, please contact us in Dublin on +353 (0) 1 633 4111 or at dublin@robertwalters.com to arrange an interview with one of our specialist consultants.
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In a world that’s overflowing with information, it pays to make yourself memorable. Your personal brand statement helps to do just that.
This essential self-marketing tool is basically a pithy statement of your key skills and the value you can bring to any organisation you’re hoping to work for. For example:
Industry-accredited software developer with 7 years’ experience developing apps and tools for award-winning fintech enterprises
ACCA-qualified accountant specialising in creative SMEs, who really enjoys using her professional skills to support the entrepreneurial culture of start-ups and smaller companies
Think of your personal brand statement as an elevator pitch for who you are and what you’ve got to offer. It’s ideal if you want to grab the attention of a hiring manager or recruiter sifting through CVs, or simply have a strong one-liner ready when your Skype interviewer says, ‘So tell me about yourself…’
So where can you use your brand statement? How do you go about crafting one? And what are the top tips that will help yours stand out from the crowd?
How to use your personal brand statement?
Your statement can be slotted in anywhere you need to market yourself to a potential employer: at the top of your CV, in a covering email or message, on your LinkedIn page, and so on.
You can also use it to start off an interview, or when meeting and networking with people face-to-face. Of course, in person you don’t want to sound like you’re just parroting a script, but it’s useful to have a snappy summary to draw on, especially if you’re faced with one of those moments where your mind goes blank and you can’t quite think where to begin.
The statement in its simplest form is typically a single sentence in the style of the examples above, but it’s useful to have different-length versions for different contexts. For example:
- Industry-accredited software developer for award-winning fintech enterprises
- Industry-accredited software developer with 7 years’ experience developing apps and tools for award-winning fintech enterprises
- Industry-accredited software developer with 7 years’ experience developing apps and tools for award-winning fintech enterprises. I’m now looking to develop my strong team-building skills in an environment where technical innovation is vital for business success
How to craft a mission statement?
As you’ll see from these examples, mission statements tend to follow a formula. Typically it goes:
‘[I am] an X with Y looking to do Z’
X sums up what you do, ideally with some sort of credential or proof point attached e.g. ‘industry-accredited’ or ‘highly experienced’ or ‘bilingual’.
Y relates to your experience and the sort of value you offer e.g. ‘with 5 years’ experience in negotiating merger & acquisition deals in the retail sector’.
Z is what you’re looking for next, again ideally also framed as a benefit to your potential audience e.g ‘looking to translate my proven business development skills into effective fundraising initiatives in the non-profit sector’.
Top tips for a statement that will stand out?
- Start by sitting down and listing your key skills, attributes and experience. Which stand out? Which are likely to matter most to your future boss? How can you combine them to best effect in a statement formula?
- Think of someone you know with similar experience and goals to you. Does your statement sound just like theirs? What can you change to make yours more distinctive?
- Remember that every word in your statement has to earn its place. There’s no room for waffle, or repetition, or ambiguity. Keep working it till it’s as pithy as a good newspaper headline.
- Remember, too, what your statement isn’t: It’s not your mission statement for life, a statement of your dream job, or a personal mantra. Keep it business-like and professional, and avoid too much quirkiness or blue-sky thinking.
- Keep calm and avoid the hype. Avoid breathless phrases such as ‘unbelievably talented’ or ‘fiendishly intelligent’, or claiming to have dreamt of being an actuary since you were a child…
- Practise your statement on family friends. Does it make sense out of context? Does it flow smoothly or do you trip up on certain words or phrases? Edit and polish till you have something that feels really easy and natural to say.
- Try to avoid clichéd words and phrases like ‘passionate’, ‘results-driven’, ‘self-motivated and energetic’, ‘highly organised’ and ‘detail-oriented’. These tend to get overlooked as they’re quite generic and rather over-used. Instead, go for phrases that add value and concrete detail e.g. ‘Recent MBA with…’ or ‘Python-fluent developer with…’ or ‘Treasury-qualified financial officer with…’
How to keep it fresh?
As with the rest of your CV, it’s a good idea to regularly revisit your statement, and update it as your skills, experience and aspirations change. Likewise, be prepared to tweak it to make it more relevant for different jobs you apply for.
More examples?
Here’s a few more examples to help inspire you to craft your very own killer brand statement…
- International digital marketing specialist who’s launched over 20 websites in 10 languages across 12 countries. Now looking for an exciting opportunity to combine my technical and creative marketing capabilities, ideally in the ecommerce or B2B space.
- From DM to apps, I’m a seasoned comms expert who doesn’t need an agency to do all her creative thinking for her, and have a track record of delivering outstanding campaign ROI. Looking to make a difference for a company that really wants to tell its unique story in a memorable and impactful way.
- Business developer extraordinaire for the Asia Pacific healthcare space, who’s all about helping to enable new models of integrated and coordinated care. Looking for a provider who shares my vision of a society where an individual will receive personalised care
which incorporates the different dimensions that are central to an individual's wellness.
- Frequently headhunted international trade consultant and tech sector specialist with 8 years’ experience in tech policy and international business development and strategy in the UK, US and New Zealand. Ready for a new challenge as a C-Level commercial advisor to a high-growth tech company.
Have a big interview coming up? Read our complete interview guide here.
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A well written cover letter can be just as important as your CV when looking for a job. Employers spend less than a minute looking at job applications and your cover letter is an opportunity to stand out against other applicants. Here we look at some easy tips to help you make an impression and tell the employer why they should hire you.
Knowledge is key
In your cover letter you are able to expand on what you know about the company. Research the company, and the job you are applying for, prior to compiling your application and incorporate some of that information into your letter.
"Researching a company before applying allows you to show that you have initiative and are genuinely interested in what they do. As well, it lets you establish the tone and style of the company and allows you to incorporate terminology that is consistent with them." explains Suzanne Feeny, Director Robert Walters Ireland.
Address your letter
The last thing you want is for your letter and CV to go to the wrong person, or to nobody at all. If you are applying for a job, the person to apply to should be listed. In this case, always address your letter to that person. If nothing is listed though, you can address it to the Manager or Supervisor of the department you are applying to.One great way to show how you will bring value to a company is by giving tangible examples of work you’ve done which directly relate to the job requirements.
Don’t just copy your CV
Your cover letter is a chance to expand on your CV. You don’t just want to list your qualifications and experience, instead opt for comments on how you can directly add value to the company.
“One great way to show how you will bring value to a company is by giving tangible examples of work you’ve done which directly relate to the job requirements. Write two or three sentences explaining the tasks, how you were able to complete them and the benefit to your employer” says Suzanne.
Keep it short
Almost half of employers prefer a cover letter which is about half a page in length. If it is too short it can look like you didn't put much effort into it and if it is too long it may lose the readers' interest.
“We find the best cover letters tend to be three paragraphs, or half a page, at the most. This way you have a chance to sell yourself to the company but you are not giving long and unnecessary information” Suzanne continued.
Have someone proof read your letter
Common easy mistakes can make the difference when an employer is deciding between two candidates. Once you have written your cover letter, have someone proof read it to catch any mistakes. Make sure the spelling and grammar is correct and then sense check the letter a final time to ensure the content is concise.
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