Blog post -

How to impress us with your CV

The aim of this blog is to help you impress us with your CV and to secure you that much coveted graduate internship. Simple.  Just some hints and tips.  You might even impress other people with your CV.  But we’d rather not hear about that.

Generally speaking, an HR Executive at any recruitment company will spend up to ten seconds scanning your CV.  They might read hundreds of CVs a day; so what makes yours a priority?

Basic details

First and foremost.  Your contact details should be at the top of your CV; your name, address, mobile number and email address. If you aren’t easy to contact, you aren’t employable. Likewise, use your address near the internship (if you have more than one, i.e. a term time address.) A recruiter is far less likely to call you for an internship in London if you say you are based in Cumbria.

Qualifications

Get them on there. Degree result and A-level results. It’s not worth listing all your GCSE results; try summarising them in the following useful format: 10 GCSEs A*-C.

Keywords

Read the job description.  What keywords feature? Stick these keywords in your CV to grab the attention of the reader.  This includes characteristics and any skills you may have picked up through part time work or hobbies. Or any software you may have used. It all counts.

Avoid vague statements

“I am a good team player.”  We don’t believe you. Prove it. Anyone can write this; what have you achieved through your teamwork? (Teamwork is an example. You might hate working in a team…)

Accomplishments

It’s been said before, I’ll say it again.  Be proud of what you have achieved, boast about it.  This is your opportunity to brag without coming across as a douchebag.

Lying

Don’t do it.  It’s happened before, he was exposed, it was embarassing.

Brevity

Keep your CV to two pages maximum.  Brevity is the key; show you are able to express yourself concisely.  Don’t bother with a picture (unless it is particularly funny) or your date of birth. The latter just isn’t allowed.

Layout

Lastly, formatting.  Unless you are a tech wizard or aspiring graphic designer; avoid abnormal font and styles.  Stick to convention. Make it easy to read!

So there you have it; follow these simple rules and your CV should be up to scratch.  Depending on what is actually on it, of course…

Topics

  • University, University College

Categories

  • careers advice
  • employability skills
  • graduate internships
  • internships
  • unemployment
  • work experience

Contacts

Andrew Scherer

Press contact Marketing Manager 02072696729