Perfect CV Writing Is Hard So Aim To Write An Effective CV Instead

The Perfect CV is almost impossible to create because there are so many factors that depend upon the reader rather than the CV writer. You can analyze their intentions very carefully, but you cannot predict with absolute certainty exactly what they are thinking. So I can show you how to write an effective CV (or write a CV for you), but trying for perfection is just not worth the effort because it cannot be achieved.

A perfect CV would be the most wonderful advertisement to prospective employers. But, perfect or not, what it must do is make them want to invite you to interview so they can find out more about you.

Focusing Your CV

You must not waste employers' time by making them work out what your CV is trying to tell them. Communicate clearly and concisely what will be of relevance to them by understanding the job requirements. As a potential employee you are far more interesting if you can convince the prospective employer that you have the personal qualities they require and the skills they want.

Before you start writing, prepare lists of your skills and achievements.

They will normally cover the following four separate areas:

1. Education and qualifications - concentrating on secondary education and beyond.

2. Work experience - think about the skills you needed for, and gained from, these posts. Transmit a sense of achievement, say what you accomplished in your work. Show evidence of any leadership or problem solving skills you used.

Skills can be described in these three main areas:

• Functional skills which you use to deal with the world around you e.g. people, data, things, ideas.

• Personal skills that you use to manage yourself.

• Technical skills that you use and develop for aspects of your job.

3. Non-work related skills, such as positions of responsibility in your community or membership of a sports team.

4. Other skills such as holding a driving licence, Prince's Trust Award, language skills, and anything like the ECDL which you may have gained.

Layout Of Your CV

If you want a perfect CV you have to take care over how you present it. Appearance and content are important when it comes to someone reading your CV. If they don't like the look of it, they simply won't bother. And quality is more important than quantity, so aim for just two pages.

Keep it relevant and avoid the use of jargon. Use short words rather than long words and as few words as possible to get your message across. refer to an 'action list' of words that create impact. Check, check and recheck for errors. Then get someone else to check it for you. Do not expect to produce a perfect CV at your first attempt. You will need a few attempts and each should be an improvement on the last.

Perhaps you've already been trying? Its quite understandable because it seems that everywhere you look someone is telling you how to write the perfect CV.

But can you really get a perfect CV? No I don't believe you can. So why do you think that is?

Well in my opinion, there is no such thing and even if we supposed there was you still wouldn’t have one because all the books you read can only ever tell you in the most general terms; which kind of proves my point!

In all my time as a Career Coach, CV writer and published author I have never heard any recruiters say “Wow! just look at this perfect CV, because it just doesn’t happen.

So let’s get rid of all this clap-trap about writing the perfect CV. The best that can be achieved is one that is fit-for-purpose; in other words one that does the job it needs to do in the best possible way. Effectively. For you.

What you need is an effective CV...

The fact is that the only job your CV can do, is to introduce you to a reader, who may be the prospective employer and create an impression that creates some interest and action, then remain as a record of your being in contact.

In my view you need is a CV that is strong on design, construction and content. Your CV must look good, be easy to read in well written English and contain just sufficient RELEVANT detail to convince the employer to arrange to interview you. When you create the right level of interest, it leaves them wanting to know more.

So I will show you how to write an effective CV that really works for you.

The most effective CV is one that is strong on design, construction and content, written in easy-to-read English; an effective CV looks good, is easy to read and contains the detail the reader needs. It may not be a perfect CV, but it will work and that is what counts!

How To Make A Great CV

To create an effective CV, you must remember to keep it simple.

Keep the layout open, with plenty of white space.

Start with your name (as you are known) followed by your contact details at the top of the first page.

Don't bother with the Curriculum Vitae label; it doesn't need it. It is what it is. Don't add lots of colour or different fonts or horizontal lines or dividers; they just spoil the whole effect and don't make it any easier to read.

Next a short factual statement or profile, about the level you work at coupled with an indication of the sector(s) you are experienced in. Add some key skill descriptors in all amounting to no more than four lines. This will set the tone of the reader's expectations. Do it this way rather than an opinion-based or 1st person statement of your profile.

Next follows a reverse chronological (most recent first) list comprising your employer's names with dates and job titles. Within each employment give a 'statement of purpose' - in other words the reason you are employed - then add some bullet points to say how you fulfilled that purpose. If your bullet points start with an active verb and are quantified (e.g. Saved 300 manhours...), the reader gets a powerful impression of someone who has done something. Therefore can probably do it again.

Repeat this going back through your employments, with less detail the further back you go.

Then you can add a section about your qualifications and educational attainments, but only the significant ones plus any relevant memberships. You can use designatory letters (such as C.Eng) against your name on the first page if they are relevant to your job application.

Finally you may add your personal details - age, d.o.b., marital status, health, mobility but do not add interests and hobbies; do not add referees names. You may say names are available, but its better to hold them back until they are asked for, then you can tell your referees they may be contacted and tell them about the specific job so they know how to reply.

This is a very simplified outline of how to achieve an effective CV. It may not be the perfect CV, but keeping it simple and to the point, with your information relevant to the job application, is the best way to get their attention, get yourself noticed and get called to an interview.

You are here: Perfect CV

Read on to find out about my professional CV Writing services.

If English is not your first language you need my UK CV and English CV Writing Services for an easy to read CV that reads naturally in UK English

If you want a truly professional traditional CV, which combines all of the impact and interview-winning features you need to make that all-important impression, I will create one for you. All you need to do is go to CV Writing Services for more information about how to get started and multiply your chances with the nearest thing to a perfect CV. Check out these examples of CVs I've written for other clients. You can get a free CV review too!

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