We all know that first impressions count. Your CV is your introduction to potential employers, so it’s vital that you get it right. Discover how to write a strong CV that will guarantee you an interview.
What is a CV?
A CV is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers. Alongside your CV, employers may also ask for a cover letter.
CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase meaning ‘course of life’. In other countries, such as the USA and Canada, CVs are known as résumés. These documents tend to be more concise and follow no particular formatting rules.
How long should a CV be?
‘We recommend CVs are no longer than two A4 pages,’ says the careers service team at the University of Chester. ‘Although for students seeking part-time jobs, they may be shorter, and for academic CVs slightly longer.’
Take a look at our example of a chronological CV for inspiration.
That said, one size doesn’t fit all. Although not used as often, a three-page CV might be needed for those in high-level roles or for people who have gained a lot of experience or worked in multiple jobs over the last five to ten years. For example, some medical CVs may be longer depending on your experience. While it’s important to keep your CV concise, you should also avoid selling your experience short.
When writing a CV, save space by only including the main points of your education and experience. If you’re struggling to edit your CV, ask yourself if certain information sells you. If it doesn’t, cut it out. If it’s not relevant to the job you’re applying for, delete it and if it’s old detail from ten years ago, summarise it.
