What should you and should not include in your UK CV?
Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It serves as an introduction to potential employers, giving them a brief overview of who you are and why you are the right person for the job. When crafting your CV, there are certain things that should and should not be included to ensure it is effective and engaging. Most importantly, you should aim to make your CV as clear and concise as possible. By following the tips below, you can ensure your UK CV stands out and will make a great first impression.
Should you put a photo on your CV?
To help you answer this question, you have to ask yourself if this can represent a real plus for your selection? For positions in hospitality, events or tourism, a good presentation can be an asset. However, this element can be a source of discrimination, so we generally advise not to put it.
What about linking to social networks ?
To avoid any risk of discrimination in hiring, through criteria linked to social or ethnic origin in particular, one can also opt for an anonymous CV.
Many recruiters in the UK now have the reflex of finding out about the via Google or social networks. Make sure your “e-reputation” is impeccable: photos, videos, comments, blogs… so as not to lose credibility points.
Thinking about including a short personal statement ?
Increasingly appreciated by recruiters, the “about” of the CV or a personal statement is a short presentation (2-3 lines) which summarizes who you are, why you are applying and what you can bring to the company (your assets). It is highly recommended to use a cv template uk if you need to write a strong personal statement. Just like the catchphrase of a cover letter, it must be adapted to the targeted job, to be personalized for each application.
Experienced professional? Distinguish yourself with a powerful catchphrase highlighting your achievements and career goals. Without experience ? Talk about your professional project and your personal skills. The same goes for your cover email, which is the gateway to reading your cover letter and CV.
You should present your professional experiences
This part should not be overlooked when creating a UK CV. The majority of resumes follow the reverse chronological model: you list your experiences one by one, from the most recent to the oldest. But there are other types of CV such as the functional or thematic type, where these missions are grouped by skill and not by employer. It’s up to you to see according to your profile.
The title of the function, the name of the company, the place and dates of employment will be specified in the experience section. Then make a list of 4-5 significant missions or tasks (one line per mission), favoring the active way with action verbs in the infinitive.
However, when it comes to the content, it is important to include relevant work experience, education and certifications, as well as any awards or special skills you may have. On the other hand, it is important to avoid including any personal information, such as your age, gender or marital status, as this is not relevant to the employer.
Showcase your computer skills
You will only display this section if the job requires the use of specific IT tools. Knowledge of invoicing software, CRM or even programming languages can be sought by ATS, which is why it is all the more useful to be precise.
Like any skill, the precision of the level of computer proficiency is required. Here, we use the following scale:
- beginner
- intermediate
- mastery
- expert
Do you have to display your interests?
As for areas of interest, they allow you to identify your personality, but they are only relevant if they are precise and highlight qualities. To proscribe therefore the vague “reading, travel, sport”.
