Your Guide to Writing a CV in 2023 That Will Stand Out.

Our handy guide will show you how to create a CV.

Below are some guidelines to help you choose the right format for your CV. We also have insider tips from the Haughey Recruitment team.

What will a great CV look in 2023?

A strong CV will attract the attention of potential employers. It accurately captures who and what you are at a glance.

Follow these basic design guidelines to ensure your CV is well-designed and easy to read.

1. Your CV should be tailored to the job position you are applying for
2. Include keywords from the job description on your CV
3. To save space, edit your application to include the most pertinent information for the job that you are applying for.
4. Only include the 10 most recent years of employment.
5. A professional layout should have clear spacing and concise words. You can also use a different font style or size for your headers, but it is best to keep the style consistent throughout.
6. Your skills are listed in bullet points that are easy for you to read.
7. So recruiters can quickly review your information, summarize your qualifications and personal details.

Are you unsure what to include in your CV? Below are detailed instructions on how to write a CV.

What information should I include on my CV?

It is important to keep your contact information up to date and to keep this section of your CV short. Include:

1. Your current personal email address is not your work email address!
2. Mobile phone number. This is not your preferred contact method. Please let us know!
3. A brief description of your hobbies and interests to highlight your personality.

The goal is to create a single-page CV that stands out for recruiters. You will have more space for valuable information if you remove unnecessary details.

Avoid including additional personal information, such as marital status and religion. This should not be relevant to your job application.

It is a good idea to include a link from your LinkedIn profile in your CV. Keep your profile current and accurate. If you are applying for creative positions, it is a good idea to add links to your social media accounts, website links, or online portfolio.

Do I need to include a photograph on my CV?

Although there are no rules regarding the inclusion of a photo on your CV we recommend that you only include one if it is relevant for the job you are applying.

Photos can reveal information about us, such as our age, gender and nationality. Businesses and recruitment agencies need to be aware that unconscious bias can exist. This is why they should keep CVs and applications anonymous so they can make decisions based on the applicant’s skillset, not their identity.

Although it is the responsibility of the applicant to correct and train against any minorities, a CV that contains a photo could cause bias to the person viewing it. This could impact a screening decision.

What should I put in my CV profile?

Are you new to creating a CV profile or aren’t sure where to begin? Keep the profile section of your CV short and to-the-point. You should limit the length of your profile section to 4-6 sentences, which is approximately 200 words.

These steps will help you to tailor your CV.

1. Summarize your work history and describe who you are.

2. Highlight any relevant experience and provide evidence to support it. This will help you sell your skills. To keep it concise, avoid buzzwords and include your hobbies and interests.

3. Highlight your goals and mention what you hope to achieve from the job you are applying for. This will show that you are motivated and where your ambitions lie.

What skills should I add to my CV?

To stand out from the crowd, it’s important that you highlight your most valuable skills. Avoid generic skills like “written and verbal communication skills” and “proficient in Word”, as they don’t add any value to your CV.

Keep your skills relevant to the job that you are applying for.

If you’re applying for a new position in design it would be helpful to list any design software skills such as Adobe Photoshop or InDesign.

Include only relevant skills and unique skills that are essential to your application. This section should be created keeping in mind the job description and key details. This will allow you to create a CV that reflects the skills and experience required by recruiters.

What work experience should I include in my CV?

Keep your resume short and to the point when writing a CV. Keep it short and concise. Only include the last 5 to 6 jobs in your employment history section. You can arrange them in reverse chronological order.

We suggest that you include a few points for achievement in each job description. Take, for example:

“Developed a strategy for social media and increased followers by 20,000.” VS. “Managed social media accounts of company X.”

What length should my CV be?

A standard goal is one page. A one-page CV is helpful for candidates to stand out. This is because, regardless of your experience or skill, it makes the job of a hiring manager easier when they are reading through a bunch of CVs.

We recommend that you take a look at Canva, which offers free templates for CVs. These templates can help you to decide the structure and format of your CV.

These details should be included on your CV

1. Full name
2. Mobile number
3. Email address
4. Relevant work experience – focusing on skills, not results
5. Here’s a list of all the languages and skills you can use.
6. If applicable, a link to your personal site
7. Link to your LinkedIn profile
8. Link to your online portfolio or social media accounts
9. If you have the space, hobbies and interests are possible!

Are references required for my CV?

It used to be a standard practice to include references on your CV. But, in 2023, the thinking has changed.

It is not a good idea to include references in your CV too early in the process of hiring. This is because employers will spend only 30 seconds per reading your CV. It is a great opportunity to highlight your skills, experience, and voice in a concise, top-line manner.

Each applicant will need to provide references at some point during the hiring process. It is not a good idea to do so earlier. To make your application stand out, we recommend that you use the space available to show evidence of achievements and skills.

Do I need to attach documents from my CV or make a website?

You might consider adding some examples of work or creating your own website. It all comes down to the job you are applying for, and how the application process works.

Some companies will require applicants complete set questions through the company’s job system. Others require that you upload a Word or PDF copy of your CV. It is possible that there are no links available. We recommend checking ahead and being ready for the application.

You’re likely to have some pieces of work you want to include if you are a graphic designer, copywriter or other type of writer. These can be attached to your CV as additional documents, or a link that takes the recruiter directly into your online portfolio.

How to create a CV with no work experience

It can be difficult to complete your resume if you are applying for your first job and don’t have any experience. Although it’s not a good idea to tell companies that you have work experience, it’s a great idea for companies to offer a work experience placement of a week or two weeks. This will give you lots of contacts and new people to network with. You might be surprised at how open-minded and understanding people are. We all remember that first job hunt!

You have many other options to showcase your skills than work experience and internships.

It is possible to:

1. Take a look at the job specification. You have probably demonstrated these skills at school, in higher education or in other extra-curricular activities. Talk about your past experiences, hobbies and interests to show how you still have the skills they are looking for.
2. Volunteer– There are always worthy causes and this is a great way to grow your skills and highlight the causes that matter to you on your CV. You can also show that you are a great team player, self-motivated and can solve problems!
3. Create your own project – To showcase your talents, you can create a portfolio by creating a website, app or ad on Canva. Or any other platform that allows you to design. Start your own business selling used clothes and baked goods. You can also highlight what you have learned.

How to approach a career gap in your CV in 2023

Are you worried about a job gap in your CV? This is a common problem and it’s completely normal.

Your CV could have gaps for many reasons, from being a caregiver or stay-at-home parent to being laid off because of organizational changes to being on medical leave.

Here are our recommendations for framing an employment gap during an interview situation

1. Be as open and honest as possible about your career gap. It is a good idea to acknowledge the gap as soon as possible and then focus on your skills and abilities. You can address any concerns or questions that the recruiter may have during the interview.
2. We recommend that you focus your efforts on the key skills and experience while keeping in mind the role you are applying to when writing a CV. This will show the recruiter you are competent for the job and that you feel like a good match.

Are you worried about your resume showing a career gap? This is how to tell your story in the interview and application process.

How to proofread your CV

The final step in the CV-writing process is proofreading. This is the final chance to catch any errors before an employer reads it.

Many recruiters consider spelling and grammar errors completely avoidable. This could adversely impact their hiring decisions. This makes your CV appear rushed and unprofessional, and shows a lack of attention.

These are some tips to help you proofread your CV and ensure that you submit a flawless application.

• It doesn’t matter if you write in the first or third person. Make sure it remains consistent throughout your CV.
• Keep it current if you are writing about your current job.
• Write consistently in the past tense when discussing roles from earlier years.
• Grammarly is a free tool that can help you scan your CV for spelling mistakes.

Why not use our handy guide to spruce up your CV and upload it to Haughey Recruitment – so our recruitment specialists can match you with the perfect role! We have a variety of both Permanent and Part -Time roles across Engineering, H&S, Admin, Accountancy, HR, Marketing, Sales, and Technology sectors.