CV Checklist - Writing a good CV

You know that first impressions count – right?

So we probably don’t need to tell you how important it is that your CV is absolutely perfect! You really need to spend time thinking about the content and structure of your CV – it’s an investment that’ll pay off – trust us!

• Your CV needs to be clear, concise and well written – no longer than 2 or 3 pages
• Stick to one basic font. This isn’t the time to use any fancy scripts – it’ll only make your CV difficult to read. Use bolding, italics and underlining to format the document – but don’t overdo it. If your CV contains lists – for example qualifications – use a table to make sure everything is neatly aligned. You can remove the table before you print it off
• Check your CV thoroughly for any errors in spelling or grammar. You can’t claim good attention to detail if there’s even one mistake in it
• Place all your work experience in chronological order (most recent first) and state the dates you started and finished each role. If there are any large gaps in employment you should give an explanation
• Sell yourself! If you’re a graduate without much experience then highlight the qualifications you’ve earned or anything extra you’ve done to improve your knowledge of the industry. If you’ve got lots of work experience, just none of it in finance and accounting, then focus on the skills you’ve acquired that are transferable such as computer skills or data management
• Open your CV with your name and contact details. Make sure they’re clearly visible and triple check your address and phone number to make sure they’re correct
• Consider including a personal profile at the start of your CV. This just needs to be a few lines long and should say something about what you are currently doing and where you are headed
• Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. The job spec will show you the key skills and experience required for the role so make sure these skills are the focus of your CV
• Don’t just list skills without backing them up. If you say you’ve got a good eye for detail or are able to deal with people at a Senior level make sure you support each statement with examples of when you’ve demonstrated the skill
• Include a paragraph about your interests and hobbies. This gives your CV more of a personal feel and lets the employer know there’s more to you than accountancy!
• Avoid jargon or clichés – and yes we know the job ad was probably full of them. Worst offenders are things like: team player, can-do attitude, results oriented or good communicator. If you have these skills then they should be apparent from the duties and achievements on your CV