Your CV is the first impression an employer has of you, so having a good CV is crucial for you when beginning your career. We caught up with Expedia Group to find out the top 3 key considerations to write your standout CV and gain a competitive edge.
3 key considerations
1. Clear format
The format of a CV is key – it should be in a readable font, size 11-12. Remember to keep it concise and between one to two pages in length.
We believe that the best approach to creating a competitive CV is to tailor the content for the specific job you are applying for, whilst maintaining the core sections. We’ve simplified the sections crucial for every CV and outlined the kind of information needed:
- Personal details - Ensure that your email and telephone number are correct. Many people include a URL to their LinkedIn or any social media that could support their application. LinkedIn is a great way to highlight more details on what you have done, what you are interested in and to display any supporting feedback from others
- Personal Statement – This is a quick snapshot of who you are professionally and what you’re looking for. It can be customised depending on the job you’re applying to
- Education – Display your most recent education title attained with your grades. After receiving a degree or apprenticeship certificate, there is no need to refer back to your GCSEs (unless specified otherwise). Once you’re a more experienced professional, this education section can be moved to after work experience
- Work Experience - Display here your most relevant work experience – making sure to list them from the most to least recent. You should include your job title, company title, location and both your start and end dates. Focus on listing your key responsibilities and projects, not so much your achievements
- Skills – A great way to be succinct and to help you stand out from the competition is to list your technology skills, proficiency levels and languages. There’s no need to include skills like problem solving and teamwork as these are typically vetted in the interview
- Interests – Here you may include anything not strictly related to the job itself but distinguishes you as an individual
2. Key words
This is where you should include the correct terminology and keywords to tailor your CV to the job role and sector.
Important keywords to include throughout your CV:
- Industry specific skills
- Tech used for jobs
- Education
- Training
- Industry Jargon (such as A/B testing)
- Company names
An important tip is to use TagCrowd, this is a great app to help you to visualise how frequently a word appears in a job ad. This can help you tailor your CV to match the key skills and experiences required for the role and make your CV shine!
3. Short and sweet
Your CV is just one step so keep it succinct and concise – 91% of recruiters recommend a 2 page maximum, but don’t feel the need to waffle to fill these. Critically think about what is relevant to the role and highlight the things that will make you quickly stand out in the eyes of the recruiter or hiring manager!
Remember, your CV doesn’t have to include everything you’ve ever done. Past jobs such as in hospitality or babysitting can be skipped if they lack relevancy.
TIP: Bullet points are a great way to make your key points stand out!
Keen to find out more check out Expedia Group’s profile here.