Application Letter and CV writing advice
It is vital that your CV is as impactful as possible, just as it is important that your covering letter/application letter is specifically tailored in regards to the role you are applying for.
With the number of applicants on the market currently, you need to make a big impact, immediately, when your CV is reviewed, as this may be against a larger number of very credible individuals. The individual looking through your details needs to be impressed within the first 30-60 seconds of reading.
Therefore, to assist you with this, we have detailed below a few suggestions to help you along with your CV writing;
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Try and keep your CV, where possible, to 2 pages.
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Make sure that your most recent job is detailed first, with your first role detailed last.
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Make sure you have spelt words and job titles correctly.
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Make sure the format of the CV is not too small or too big, between “10-12pt” is suggested size for the “main body” of the information.
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Be succinct, but informative. Ensure that you have pertinent experience detailed and, where applicable, achievements during each role undertaken.
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Where possible, show information in “bullet point” format, rather than large paragraphs.
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Ensure that your contact details are shown on both the CV and covering letter, including a “personal” email address.
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If there have been lots of changes within your career, for genuine reasons, then detail information as to why you left roles.
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Show details that are relevant, including training courses undertaken or Assessment Centres previously recently passed.
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Where applicable, detail budget/volume/staffing responsibilities.
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Check that your application letter is addressed, correctly, to the person detailed on the advertisement/online listing.
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Ensure that your application letter is interesting, and points out salient parts of your CV as a reference point, as to why you should be considered for the particular role you are applying for.
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If reference numbers are detailed on a specific advertisement, ensure that these are detailed on your covering letter, and that the job title is the same as advertised.
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Do not lie or mis-lead in terms of your skills, experiences or dates of employment.
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Do not apply for roles for which you know you do not have the relevant experience for.
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Check and re-check before submitting applications.
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Do not use “double” line spacing in paragraphs.
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Do not detail salary on your CV, however, if salary is important to you and your application do ensure that you state these on the application later, along with details of what your minimum requirements would be.