CV Headings
In today's job market, a strong CV is crucial for making a good impression on employers. The way a CV is organized affects how your skills and experiences are seen. Key sections like personal information, work experience, education, and skills help showcase your strengths. Understanding these sections allows you to customize your CV for specific jobs. A well-structured CV improves readability and makes important information easy to find, boosting your chances of landing an interview.
Personal Details
Name: Jane Doe
Phone Number: 0XX XXX XXXX
Email Address: workchangehub@outlook.com
Quick Tip: Maintain simplicity and avoid details that may introduce bias. Refrain from disclosing information such as age, location, gender, or similar identifiers.
Personal
Profile
Example:
I am a Highly motivated and results-oriented professional with [Number] years of experience in [mention general field, e.g., customer service, sales, operations]. Proven ability to [mention 2-3 key skills e.g., work independently, meet deadlines, build strong relationships]. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.
I strive to get the best results from any given task, working towards SMART goals to achieve positive outcomes. I am by nature very organized and pay close attention to detail as I believe this is where the greatest opportunities lie. Furthermore, I am very confident with experience in using databases to record and store sensitive information as well as risk management plans.
TIPS:
Customize this section to the role: incorporate the job title, key-words and any other stand outs you feel are important.
Identify the most important skills required for the job and showcase them in your statement.
Key it concise and aim for 3-4 sentences, or roughly 50-75 words.
Start your sentences with powerful verbs to make your statement more dynamic.
Key Skills
Industry-specific skills: Any technical skills directly related to the field you’re applying for.
a) IT: I have extensive experience in data base management and programming language (Python, Java, C++) which has supported me in leading projects and programme management.
b) Marketing: social media marketing and content creation, and I possess a strong understanding of the latest trends and best practices in this dynamic field.
c) Language: bilingual
Soft Skills (Transferable Skills)
a) Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication and have proven experience report writing to a high level and communicating results to internal and external stakeholders.
b) Interpersonal: Strong interpersonal skills and easily able to communicate with colleagues at all levels.
c) Critical thinking: I am easily able to identity and solve problems in relation to contract management.
Education
Education Section
Reverse Chronological Order: List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification (e.g., PhD, Master's, Bachelor's, A-Levels/High School).
Relevant Coursework: If you're a recent graduate and your coursework is highly relevant to the job, you can list 2-3 of the most pertinent courses.
Honors/Awards: List any academic honors, scholarships, or awards you received. Be specific (e.g., "Dean's List for Academic Excellence, Fall 2022," not just "Dean's List").
Example Below:
Course Name
Institue (Completion Date)
Project Management and Digital Data Bootcamp
· Cenit College (March 2024)
Career Summary
A well-crafted career summary on your CV succinctly highlights your professional background and key skills, enabling potential employers to quickly assess your suitability for the role.
Length: Keep it concise. Aim for 2-3 short, impactful sentences.
Focus on impact: Instead of simply listing your job titles and responsibilities, highlight your key achievements and contributions. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%," "Managed a team of 5," "Streamlined a process that saved the company $X").
Tailor to the Job: Customize your summary for each job application. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific role and company.
Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to improve your chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Example Below:
London Council April 2020 - Current
Employment Coach
Within this role I am responsible for supporting and identifying appropriate job vacancies for unemployed London residents.
I advocate on behalf of the client with prospective employers and aim to work in partnership with local businesses.
Responsible for facilitating training and workshops to support development.
Stakeholder collaboration to increase referrals and ensure targets are being met accordingly.
Multi-agency works with appropriate secondary care mental health service and social service departments to give the service user ongoing support.
Responsible for internal and external stakeholder engagement to create stronger referral partners and streams within London.
Experience presenting information about service statistics and easily able to communicate with people from all levels.
Responsible for the safeguarding of vulnerable people and creating risk assessments where applicable.
Some Tips..
Keep it concise: Aim for one or two pages maximum. Include only relevant information that adds value to your application.
Use a clean layout: Opt for a straightforward format with clear headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing to enhance readability.
Select a legible font: Choose a standard font like Arial or Calibri in a size 10-12 point to ensure clarity.
Prioritise information: List your most important experiences and skills first, tailoring the CV for each job application to highlight what matters most.
Avoid jargon and unnecessary details: Use simple language and focus on your achievements and skills without overcomplicating your descriptions.