CV Structure

When writing a CV you must always be aware that this is your first impression. If your CV is not effective and does not sell you, then your chance of being offered an interview is dramatically reduced.

Points to remember

Always consider what you would like your CV to say about yourself - What are your strengths? Why would you make a good employee? If you are looking to secure a particular type of role, then make sure this is reflected in your details. Your CV must be clear and easy to read.

• Structure your CV logically (see example below).
• Only use white A4 paper with black print.
• Always check the spelling and grammar.
• Remember to use spacing well as this helps.
• Highlight the different sections.
• Think about the font you use. Arial and Times New Roman are probably the best. Courier and Comic Sans are probably the worst.

Ensure your CV holds enough information to spark interest without it becoming a literary masterpiece! Around 3-4 pages is ideal. Be positive and take full advantage of ALL your skills and experience. Make sure your CV is achievement orientated.

Nearly every role is slightly different or places emphasis on a particular skill set. One of the most important things you can do is to really read the job spec and tailor your experience so it’s the best possible match it can be. The last thing you should do is lie but if you have the experience an employer is looking for and there is something you can do to make it more prominent then this should be your biggest priority. You can also bold up the terms and experience that is relative to the role which will make it far easier for the employer to read and highlight your suitability.

We know this can be time consuming when you’re applying for a large number of jobs but there is no other single thing you can do that will result in more interviews. An employer that looks at a large number of CV’s will be used to scanning details quickly and it’s fair to say your CV rarely has more than 30 seconds to make an impact. If it’s a job you really like the sound of we recommend you take some time to give yourself the best possible chance of getting an interview.

An Ideal Layout

The template below is an example of how to structure your CV to help employers see your skills and experience quickly and clearly.

For more great advice, please head over to our Candidate Advice section.

Sample CV Download

32.50KB