5 Steps to Writing a Showstopping CV

To land your dream job, to take the next step up the career ladder, to expand your skill set. Whatever your goals, your CV is the first opportunity to make an impact with a potential new employer. This important document should showcase skills and experience, to stand you out from the competition.

Common folk lore suggested that it takes less than 30 seconds for the person shortlisting for an open role to review your cv and make a decision on your suitability. The next 5 steps are critical in making sure your CV makes it passed the screening filter and onto the bedtime reading list.

Step One: Be Flexible

Edit and tailor your CV to each individual role that you apply for, no two opportunities are ever the same. Consider what you believe the hirer’s ideal candidate would look like, drawing parallels with your skills and competencies. Be wary of inhouse terminology and look out for theirs, adjusting your language and use of key words where necessary.

Step Two: Concentrate on Relevance

There are no rules on how long a CV can or can’t be however, we recommend that you keep your CV to 2 or 3 pages maximum. A CV should illustrate your previous experience and should also be a reflection of who you can be in your next role. Concentrate on demonstrating the experience that relevant to the roles that you are seeking and will add value to your application.

Step Three: Back up your Examples with Facts and Figures

As a finance professional you deal with numbers daily, now is the time to bring your own to life. Showcase the benefit you can add to your next employer by detailing your achievement, supported with tangible results. Did you save a considerable amount of time or money by introducing a new system or report? Did you reduce costs or discover savings within your business? Champion your achievements with clear example support with facts and figures to truly underline your value.

Step Four: Keep it simple, concise, accurate

Colourful texts and fonts, bad grammar, images, diagrams and tables. Yes, we’ve seen it all. Remember, your CV is a written representation of you are as a professional. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar can be the difference between being selected or rejected for an interview. Constantly check your CV for spelling mistakes and make sure the focus is on the content. Pictures and diagrams will always become a distraction changing a positive into a negative. Keep it simple, concise, accurate.

Step Five: The DNA of a Show-Stopping CV

• Personal information – Name, email address, contact number, LinkedIn URL etc.
• Personal Profile – A brief but interesting paragraph to spike the reviewers interest to continue.
• Education & Qualification – Include all professional qualifications, and where applicable degree , A Level’s and GCSE’s (or equivalents)
• Key Skills – Outline your Technical, IT and also your softer skills - communication, leadership, problem solving.
• Employment History – Presented in reverse chronological order with your most relevant and recent job details first. For each position, summarise your responsibilities using bullet points or a paragraph and list key achievements.
• Hobbies & Interests – Show your human side but keep this section brief. If the reader would like to know more, they can explore this with you during the interview.
• References

Your CV should tell your story as a person and a professional; keep it brief and concise, engaging and interesting. We pride ourselves on providing advice, guidance and preparation on your CV, on interviewing and all elements of the career search so get in touch here for a confidential discussion. If you’re ready to take the next step, check out our latest vacancies here.