Writing your CV and have a question? See some of the regular questions we are asked.
And the Answers ...
What is the correct number of pages for a CV?
This often will depend on the job for which you are applying and your level of work experience. One or two pages is normally more than enough to cater for most. Also two pages are the maximum employers expect to see. Back.
This often will depend on the job for which you are applying and your level of work experience. One or two pages is normally more than enough to cater for most. Also two pages are the maximum employers expect to see. Back.
Do I need to send a cover letter?
Yes, employers do expect to see a cover letter with all CV’s. Also the cover letter gives you a great opportunity to include a paragraph or two telling them why you are perfect for the job. Back.
Yes, employers do expect to see a cover letter with all CV’s. Also the cover letter gives you a great opportunity to include a paragraph or two telling them why you are perfect for the job. Back.
How much time should I allow to write my CV?
This very much depends on you and your experience, however most people should allow anything between half an hour to 2 hours. Back.
This very much depends on you and your experience, however most people should allow anything between half an hour to 2 hours. Back.
What are the main sections that need to go on my CV?
Contact information, profile, career history, skills, education, qualifications, interests, personal and references. Please note that not all the sections are applicable to all CV’s. Back.
Contact information, profile, career history, skills, education, qualifications, interests, personal and references. Please note that not all the sections are applicable to all CV’s. Back.
Should I include references?
Only if the employer has asked for them. It is acceptable to include “references available on request” on the CV. It is also acceptable to include references in your cover letter. Back.
Only if the employer has asked for them. It is acceptable to include “references available on request” on the CV. It is also acceptable to include references in your cover letter. Back.
I have gaps in my work history, what should I do?
You shouldn’t where possible leave gaps even if you spent time out of employment - think about what you were doing during that time and pick out aspects that might be used to highlight your suitability. Back.
You shouldn’t where possible leave gaps even if you spent time out of employment - think about what you were doing during that time and pick out aspects that might be used to highlight your suitability. Back.
Do I still include my education even though it was a while ago?
Your experience in the work place and any training courses will probably be of more interest to an employer than academic qualifications. You could choose to leave out this section. Back.
Your experience in the work place and any training courses will probably be of more interest to an employer than academic qualifications. You could choose to leave out this section. Back.
When I send my CV by email should I use the word or PDF version?
The preferred format to use with email is the PDF as the file size is small but gives the same quality presentation whoever opens it. Unfortunately the presentation of the word version is dependent on the settings of the recipient’s computer. However we normally recommend attaching both the word and pdf versions to make sure. As far as printing your CV is concerned, PDF is often better. Back.
The preferred format to use with email is the PDF as the file size is small but gives the same quality presentation whoever opens it. Unfortunately the presentation of the word version is dependent on the settings of the recipient’s computer. However we normally recommend attaching both the word and pdf versions to make sure. As far as printing your CV is concerned, PDF is often better. Back.
What is a Curriculum Vitae?
A Curriculum Vitae is a written and chronological description of your work experience, educational background, and skills. It normally covers around 2 pages of A4 paper. Back.
A Curriculum Vitae is a written and chronological description of your work experience, educational background, and skills. It normally covers around 2 pages of A4 paper. Back.
What is the number one reason for CV’s being rejected?
There are a number of reasons, however bad spelling & grammar would come near the top of the list. The simplest way to avoid submitting a CV containing these types of mistakes is to ask someone else to read over it – a fresh look from someone else is usually helps. Back.
There are a number of reasons, however bad spelling & grammar would come near the top of the list. The simplest way to avoid submitting a CV containing these types of mistakes is to ask someone else to read over it – a fresh look from someone else is usually helps. Back.
Do I have to include hobbies & interests?
Not required however interests listed on a CV are often discussed at the beginning of an interview as a soft introduction to the real questions especially if they are unusual or suggest transferable skills. Back.
Not required however interests listed on a CV are often discussed at the beginning of an interview as a soft introduction to the real questions especially if they are unusual or suggest transferable skills. Back.
What information do I put in the contact details section?
The following are the common inclusions; Your name, postal address, e-mail address and telephone number. Telephone numbers are useful so you can be contacted outside of working hours. Back.
The following are the common inclusions; Your name, postal address, e-mail address and telephone number. Telephone numbers are useful so you can be contacted outside of working hours. Back.
Can you tell me the most common CV mistakes?
Poor layout - Respondents cited poor layout as one of the most commonly occurring errors made by candidates when composing their CV. Uniformity, clarity and flow of information are pertinent when you bear in mind that an employer only needs to look at a CV for a few seconds.
Not explaining gaps in work history - People who leave gaps in their work history leave employers with no alternative but to question why they have done so. By explaining that you spent time travelling or had a career break, you will eliminate the need for this.
Spelling and grammatical errors - Over 60% of the recruitment consultants surveyed regularly encountered this type of error. The simplest way to avoid submitting a CV containing these types of mistakes is to ask someone else to read over it – a fresh look from someone else is usually all it takes.
Not tailoring to a specific role: - Tailored CVs generate a much more positive response from employers than those which are mass-mailed in a standard format to a large volume of recipients. It may be more time-consuming to adapt your CV every time you apply for a job, but you will increase your chances of success if you can illustrate precisely how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role.
Back.
Poor layout - Respondents cited poor layout as one of the most commonly occurring errors made by candidates when composing their CV. Uniformity, clarity and flow of information are pertinent when you bear in mind that an employer only needs to look at a CV for a few seconds.
Not explaining gaps in work history - People who leave gaps in their work history leave employers with no alternative but to question why they have done so. By explaining that you spent time travelling or had a career break, you will eliminate the need for this.
Spelling and grammatical errors - Over 60% of the recruitment consultants surveyed regularly encountered this type of error. The simplest way to avoid submitting a CV containing these types of mistakes is to ask someone else to read over it – a fresh look from someone else is usually all it takes.
Not tailoring to a specific role: - Tailored CVs generate a much more positive response from employers than those which are mass-mailed in a standard format to a large volume of recipients. It may be more time-consuming to adapt your CV every time you apply for a job, but you will increase your chances of success if you can illustrate precisely how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role.
Back.
