1)      Spelling and Grammar: This is a simple tip, but very effective. With the increase of tech savvy individuals, you can bin those dictionaries and biros; word processing software does all this for you! This does mean that there is no excuse for your CV to be plagued with bad grammar and spelling mistakes.  This is one of the first things the employer will notice when reading your CV- any obvious spelling misteaks will stick out like a sore thumb! So don’t ignore that wavy red line- check it out!

2)      Proof Reading: Get someone else to proof read your CV. Sometimes it can be hard to spot errors in your own writing, as you know what it is supposed to say, regardless of whether it actually does! Ask a friend or family member to check how your CV reads, and that you haven’t made any typos; it will make all the difference.

3)      Make the beginning of your CV stand out: If the only thing the employer reads is the first few lines of your CV, what does that say about you? Make sure it is passionate, relevant and to the point. Explain what makes you a good candidate and why you stand out from the rest.

4)      Try to avoid clichéd phrases: For an employer there is nothing worse than reading hundreds of CVs with the same generic phrases. Try thinking of better ways to say you are ‘hard working’ and ‘a good team player’; give examples of personal experiences and avoid making your CV sound like you’ve copied and pasted it from the internet!

5)      Relevance: Target your CV to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job in teaching you need; all relevant qualifications, examples of working with children, examples of public speaking. The employer won’t need to know how many different cocktails you can make, from your job in TGI Fridays. So make sure to tailor your CV according to the job; Your CV should be no more than 2 pages, if you want the employer to read it until the end!

6)      Be prepared to explain gaps in your CV: This is a common question you may be asked at an interview if you have been out of work for large periods of time. So if you see those gaps on your CV, start working out an answer for this question to avoid being caught out. Employers won’t be happy to know you were out of work because you needed a year to ‘chill’ so think of something constructive and positive to say.

7)      Make it short: Make it short, relevant and to the point. Your CV should be no more than 2 pages. This ensures that it is specifically targeted to the job you are applying for, and ensures the employer reads it until the end!

8)      Make sure your contact information is up to date: Now, this sounds like an obvious fact, but it is surprising how many people forget to change their address on their CV when they move, or their number after getting a new phone. You may not have even looked at your CV in a couple of years, so don’t just send it out without checking your details!

9)      Adding references: It is good to be able to provide your new potential employer with some references, but there is no need to fill up your CV with their comments. ‘References available on request’, as long as this is true, will get the message across and enable the employer to ask you who they need to contact; if they want to check your references.

10)   Accessible Style: The layout of your CV should be clear and concise. Ensure that your work history and education are all in reverse chronological order so that your most recent employment is at the top. Avoid using overly complicated frames and fonts; keep it simple and classic to get maximum impact.

Keep checking back for more information and tips to make job seeking easier, and in the meantime: Happy Job Hunting!