With recruiters spending an average of just seven seconds looking at each CV for a job posting1, it’s clear that the need to instantly stand out is more pressing than ever.
But this is easier said than done, as experts at FutureLearn have spotted a knowledge gap trend here, with searches for “how to write a CV” increasing by 150% over the last three months*.
To help those looking for their next job beat the seven second rule, FutureLearn have collated their top five tips to put together the best possible CV.
Consider your CV’s length
According to a survey conducted by recruitment experts, 91% of recruiters say that the perfect CV is two pages long2, so keep things concise. With only a few seconds to make an impact, you should always prioritise quality over quantity.
If you think your CV may be too long, and don’t want to cut out any key pieces of information, here are three quick formatting tips to apply to your CV.
Reduce the font size of your document while ensuring it remains readable (11 or 12 font size is typically best for CVs)
Adjust the margins to 0.5, 0.75 or 1 inch to provide more space to expand on your accomplishments
Decrease spacing between headings to help limit page length
Have a clear layout
Previous research also found that 50% of recruiters consider a logical order for presentation as the most important element on a CV3.
Although you want to include as much information as you can, ensure that your CV isn’t confusing or overwhelming to look at. Include whitespace in your layout, and ensure that each section has a precise header so that the reader knows what to expect in each segment.
Be sure to include:
Your name and contact details
Your name should act as the title of your CV. Keep it prominent at the top of each page of your CV, alongside your current job role or professional specialism. Don’t forget to include your email and mobile number here.
Education and qualifications
For any education and qualifications, you should list these from most recent to oldest. Include the name of the institutions you studied at and the years you were there, followed by the qualifications or grades you achieved.
Employment history
This should, again, be formatted from most recent to oldest. For each position, include your job title, the company, the dates you worked there and a short line which summarises the role in a bit more detail. Underneath, include three to four bullet points which explain the skills you gained and the achievements you had whilst working in that role. Be sure to include tangible figures and results to demonstrate the impact you had in your role.
Incorporate any keywords
Have a look through job adverts that you would like to apply to, and note any keywords and phrases that appear repeatedly. These will be the key skills that recruiters are looking for when checking your suitability for the role.
Pull out some of the relevant, role-specific terms that crop up frequently and then weave these into your CV where relevant. This may be within your skills section, or calling out any previous achievements in your employment history.
Include the right skills
You can either highlight your skills in their own section on your CV, or incorporate these into your experience section. If you’re struggling for space on your document, an interwoven approach can help you save on valuable space.
If you’re changing industries or have little experience, be sure to highlight your transferable skills towards the top of your CV, and provide some detail on the relevant expertise.
When it comes to what you should include, many roles need a mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills will be specific to your industry.
However, emerging industries and technologies often mean that some hard skills are highly sought after. Looking at job listings on sites such as such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed, and Target Jobs, FutureLearn have identified some commonly sought after hard and soft skills:
Hard skills:
Data analysis
Artificial intelligence
UX design
Cloud computing
Soft skills:
Leadership
Project management
Communication
Teamwork
Get a second opinion
Research has found that nearly 9 in 10 job seekers make at least one avoidable mistake on their CV4, so proofreading is key! Proofread your CV, then proofread it again, and then give it to someone else to proofread.
FutureLearn’s free CV review service, made in collaboration with TopCV, offers personalised recommendations and expert feedback within two days of submitting.
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