CV FAQs
CV and recruitment consultants tackle the 10 most frequently asked questions about writing a CV
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Why and how should I tailor my CV?
How long should it be?
Do I have to include all the jobs I've ever had?
Should I include salary?
What's the best way to write about my skills?
What's the best way to write about my experience?
What if I'm short on experience?
In what order should I put the information?
I've heard of a functional CV - what is it and when should I use it?
What about design and layout?
Why and how should I tailor my CV?
Why: Even if you always apply for the same type of job in the same type of company, each potential employer is different. They may prize skills differently. For example, one might prefer team players, and one might want a minimum number of years' experience. So you have to read the job ad carefully to pick up on the skills and experience the company wants, and then use your CV to show that you have them.
How: Note which skills the job ad mentions, and set about a) showing that you have them; and b) proving that you have them by giving examples of how and when you have used them in your work. The best candidates will change the language on their CV to include keywords from the job ad.
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How long should it be?
No more than two pages. The only point of a CV is to secure an interview - which is when you can go into your experience in much more depth. Also remember that the more you write, the more likely you are to ramble.
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Do I have to include all the jobs I've ever had?
No. Your entire career history is not required. But it depends on the stage you have reached in your career. For example, if you are just starting out, then every job and piece of experience will count. If you are further into your career, or looking to make a career change, then not all your experience or jobs will be directly relevant to your chosen career. Tell the reader the relevant milestones, whet their appetite, and leave the rest as talking points either in your cover letter or interview.
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Should I include my salary?
The general consensus is that your salary should not go in your CV. If you are asked for it, you can either choose not to include it, and wait to discuss it at the interview, or include it in your cover letter.
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What's the best way to write about my skills?
Don't just write down a long list of your great qualities - prove them! Many people write using words like 'conscientious', 'affable', 'personable', and 'highly-motivated', without adding any support or examples. When you say you are 'highly creative', make sure you include something you have done that proves it on your CV - eg 'designed a new media pack for a marketing campaign'.
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If you're looking to change career, and you're short on actual job experience for your new career, include a 'highlights' or 'skills summary' section to promote and describe yourself a little, and go for a functional CV, ie one that lists your skills and experience first, rather than the jobs you've had
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 | What's in a CV?
The five most typical sections are:
Key skills
Career history
Education and training
Introduction or profile
Personal interests
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In what order should I put the information?
The good news is that there is no longer a set format for CVs. If you have great work experience but terrible grades, then put your education last. If you achieved a first class honours degree at university but have been unemployed since, then put your education first.
Where you place information about your education depends on your work experience. A recent graduate's CV, for example, may go straight into education after the profile. An older manager, on the other hand, may actually want to play down their education if it is not relevant to the current day job requirements. So they could and should place education further down their CV.
Begin your CV with a 50- to 70-word profile. This should be a preview of the rest of your CV. If the content of the profile is impressive, then the reader will be encouraged to read on. Be sure to sprinkle in one or two achievements here. If you hold an MBA, say so here as well as in the education section.
The information about you that is most relevant to the job should come first. So work out what is the most important requirement for this job: is it technical skills, education or years of experience? Whatever it is, put it in pole position.
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| Chronological vs functional
Chronological: Best used to show progression up the ladder in the same profession, eg marketing assistant, assistant brand manager, brand manager, marketing manager, marketing director. Lists jobs by date, starting with the most recent. Focuses on job titles and dates
Functional: Best used when you want to change career, or if you've chopped and changed jobs a lot. Highlights the skills and transferable experience you have gained in your previous jobs, rather than the jobs themselves. Plays down actual dates of jobs
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I've heard of a functional CV - what is it and when should I use it?
If your previous work experience is in jobs that don't relate to what you want to do next, your best bet is to use a functional CV. It is a CV that makes more of your skills rather than your job history. And it allows you to emphasise the transferable skills that you have developed and used in other settings.
The chronological CV is useful in fields where you want to demonstrate steady career progression. The functional CV can be useful if you've spent a long time in one organisation or, conversely, if you've moved around many employers. And it means you do not need to present your past work in terms of job titles, which can be useful if you are changing direction.
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How should I present my CV?
Keep it simple: That means avoiding borders, fancy font types, colour, and pictures. And don't bind your CV. Use a universal font like Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman, Helvetica or Tahoma (which is the only totally universal font as it also reads on Mac systems). Stick to a 10- to 12-point font size.
Less is more: You may think that you have to cram as much information as possible onto a page, but this will only turn the reader off. An uncluttered layout with plenty of white space on the page will actually draw the reader's eye to the information that is there.
Don't over-do design: it may give the impression that you think style is more important than content, or that you're trying to hide something. So steer clear of shading, dotted lines, graphics, icons etc.
If you want to go sophisticated, using a dark blue font as opposed to the normal black has been a successful tactic for many candidates. It looks very professional, particularly when printed on cream paper.
Our thanks to: David Jones, regional manager, Office Team; Lee Lister, managing consultant, Job Success; Karen Flanagan, systems and communications manager, SSR-Personnel; Chris Booth, service co-ordinator, CV Expert; Steve Rose, management development consultant, Winning CVs; Susan Ford, Susan Ford Recruitment; Dr Rob Yeung, business psychologist, Kiddy and Partners Ltd; Paul Armstrong, managing consultant, Penna Sanders and Sidney; and Working Careers.
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