CV Advice
“…do your CV like this. Do your CV like that …”
Probably phrases you have heard a lot during your job search and everyone will have their own opinion, and the majority of the advice you’ll hear will be a personal choice. After years of reading hundreds and thousands of CVs we feel we’re pretty well placed to give you our opinion on what makes a good CV.
These are Gecko’s top tips
1) Curriculum Vitae
REMOVE THIS HEADING, please. It’s obvious what it is, it doesn’t need a title.
2) Your information
The number of CV’s we have received from amazing candidates that do not have a phone number or email address on is crazy. We are headhunters, so eventually, we will find you, but to make it easier please make sure it’s at the top of your CV along with your name and full address.
3) Sell yourself
Your opening statement is an opportunity for you to shine. Stand out from the crowd. Blow your own trumpet. Tell us and future employers why we should consider you for a role.
4) Less is more
Honestly, this is the truth if there are too many words the reader will switch off. A recruiter and future employer will be reading your CV and looking for keywords that match the role they are assessing you for, so get to the point and don’t waffle.
5) Bullet points
Carrying along the same lines of less is more. Under each role, bullet point your achievements, don’t reel off of what your job entailed, recruiters and employers want to know what you can bring to the role and the business.
6) How much is too much?
We recommend, depending on how long you have spent in each role, that you only need to explain your last 3 roles in bullet point format. Anything earlier than that should just be a summary of where you worked, the dates you worked there, your job title and a couple of sentences as to what your role entailed. Unless of course, it is vital information for the role you are applying for, but the early career we recommend you keep brief.
7) Gaps
If you have gaps in your career, explain them. Did you go travelling, were you starting a family, did you have a career break, this way recruiters and future employers will understand your career path.
8) Job hops
If your CV looks as though you have moved around, that’s absolutely fine and don’t panic – just explain them, were they temporary or short term roles? Did the business change direction? Were you mis-sold the role? All of these are fine, and this is where working with a recruiter is golden because we can advise you on the best way to pitch yourself in the interview.
9) Let your personality shine
Don’t forget to tell us what interests you, this is how recruiters and employers will gauge your fit into a business. Do you volunteer, do you raise money for charity, are you a marathon runner, are you into going to the gym, are you into wine tasting? Tell us, it could be a conversation starter for your interview and will put you at ease if you have something in common with someone on the hiring team.
10) Fancy Fancy
Unless you’re going for a graphic design role or creative marketing role, I would avoid using colour on your CV. I know it sounds boring, but it can divert the attention away from what the recruiter and hiring manager want to see.
11) Pose for the Camera (or not!)
Avoid photos on your CV if you can, your picture shouldn’t make a difference as to whether you are hired or not.
12) Check, Check and CHECK again
Read your CV over and over again. Make sure there aren’t any spelling mistakes, ask a family member or friend for their opinion.
13) And lastly….
Have more than one CV. Each role is slightly different from company to company so use the job profile as a guide to how your CV should read. If there is something on the CV that is an essential skill or experience, make sure it is on your CV near the top on your bullet points.
So, there it is…
Remember, this is just our opinion on how a CV should look and feel but it’s secured many candidates their dream job in the past, so we must be doing something right!