Writing your CV

Writing or updating your CV can be daunting particularly if you haven't done it for some time.

Despite over 25 years in roles that included reviewing CV’s / application forms, developing screening criteria and leading interviews, selection panels, assessment days for all levels, it wasn’t until I needed to write my own that I took time to consider what I needed to include and how I wanted to frame it to best reflect me and to give me the best opportunity of success. 

Whilst advice is out there about how long your CV should be, what you should include, the format it should be in and the information you should include, I personally don't think that one size fits all.  I do think that your personal statement, normally at the top of the CV is critical to grab the attention of the reviewer as are solid examples of your experience and the impact you have had in your roles.

Taking time to focus on what to include is important. I know from experience that when I had to think about what I did in my roles I really struggled to articulate it or sometimes even think about what I did because I had just 'done it'. Working with a coach really helped me to take time to think about what I had done, what I had achieved and drawing on examples to evidence this. The coach asked the right questions and gave me the space and time to work this through.

I got side-tracked constantly trying to second guess what the reviewer of my CV would think about me and was I using the right examples, the right language and so on - I really over-thought it at times. I learnt to keep it factual and evidence based demonstrating my experience, skills and knowledge. I created a back-up document which outlined as many examples as I could remember of my experience and would use this to tailor my CV for the job I was applying for - now I use this to tailor my business proposals for potential clients.

My key tips for writing your CV would be:

1.       Set time aside to note down your:

a.       key skills and how you have applied them

b.       experience that has enabled you to hit key objectives / project goals

c.       key achievements including impact on people, budget, project timelines

d.       education

2.       Reflection

a.       Taking time to reflect can help you bring together the important elements for your CV.  Take time to think about your career, what you’ve achieved, the challenges you’ve faced and overcome and what your key selling points are.

3.       CV Template

a.       Have a ‘standard template’ that you can review and amend as required against the job you applying for.  Your standard template might include your ‘personal statement’, your job roles with a timeline, education (if relevant) and professional qualifications/memberships.

4.       Skills Database

a.       Sounds very formal doesn’t it, but capturing your skills, knowledge and experience holistically, can be useful.  Write it down, put it in a spreadsheet….it doesn’t matter how you capture it but I would recommend capturing what you do, what you achieve, the impact, the output and the role you played because if you’re like me, when you need to share this, it disappears!  Keeping a log means you can draw upon it when you need to and pop it into your CV.

5.       Additional Achievements/Activity

a.       Think about what you’ve done outside your job role, have you volunteered, been included in networking groups, employee groups, contributed to a forum?  I think this shows your ‘authentic self’, who you are and what your values represent.  

6.       So what?

a.       This is where I feel most uncomfortable but it’s really important in your CV – remember this is the first impression the hiring manager or screening team have of you.   Where you provide examples of your achievements or outline your accountabilities in job roles, think about the ‘so what’ – what impact did you have, what happened, what did you do, what benefit did this have.  Capturing this in your CV gives you a great story to continue discussing at interview.

b.       A popular tool used in interviewing is the STAR model, Situation, Task, Action, Result.  If you’re being asked questions in line with this at interview then I would recommend setting your CV up in the same format to get attention.

Working with a coach to help develop your CV and get you interview ready can be effective both from getting a polished CV through to feeling confident about demonstrating what your CV tells the interviewer at your interview.

Do you need help preparing your CV or with interview prep? Get in contact for a chat to see whether we can help info@reachpeakperformancecoaching.co.uk or visit us at www.reachpeakperformancecoaching.co.uk.