There are many different views on the best way to write a CV.  But there is no one right answer.  With some general pointers, you can make your CV much more effective, and increase your chances of being selected for interview.  Remember, your CV is essentially a marketing document.  First impressions count, and it is the first sight of you by a prospective employer.

So, How Can You Make Your CV More Effective?

Firstly, think about the key points you want to get across to an employer.  If you have qualifications or experience that are particularly relevant, then put them clearly on the front page.  If an employer is inundated with CV’s, they may not get to the second page if yours does not stand out from the crowd.

One technique is to make the first page your “marketing summary”.  Provide all the key information here that will make the employer read further and want to know more about you. 

Think about the order of your CV.  If you are very young, then maybe your education should be near the front.  However, if you have been working for many years, the precise details of your O’levels or CSE results and which school you attended are less relevant, and should be near the end of the document.  When you do list your qualifications, think about how much information is appropriate.  Always start with the highest level of qualification, working back to school exams.

When detailing work experience, always start with your most recent role.  Provide a brief outline of your role, along with details of any responsibilities or achievements that you feel are relevant to your job search.  Often, it is best to give most detail on your most recent job, and reduce the amount of information for the more historical roles.  There is a fine balance between providing too much detail of your work history and having your CV too long.  Ideally, a CV should be 2-3 pages.  If yours is getting towards the 5 pages plus length it is less likely to be read fully.

Need a CV Template?

We have included our own “example” format for you to download if you could benefit from a framework.  If you do already have your own CV format, and you feel it works, then there is no need to change it.  A CV is a unique document about you – It will probably not benefit from looking the same as all the others!