FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT. SECOND IMPRESSIONS ADD UP TO EVEN MORE.

The very fact that you are looking at this page indicates that you are seriously thinking about a career move. If so, your CV and Interview will obviously be critical.

However, there is no right or wrong way to guarantee being selected for an interview – or making sure the interview is a success – but the tips here will help you create the best possible impression right from the start.

YOUR CV: THE DOOR-OPENER

In the fiercely competitive jobs market, your CV will have about 30 seconds to create a good impression and get you on to the interview short-list. Therefore, it needs to be sharp, focused – and above all, sell you as the ideal candidate. Never write more than two pages and put as much relevant detail on the first page as possible.

Your CV must sell you to a prospective employer, and compete against other applicants who are also trying to sell themselves. Therefore, the challenge in CV writing is to be more appealing and attractive than the rest.

This means that your curriculum vitae must be presented professionally, clearly, and in a way that indicates you are an ideal candidate for the job, i.e., you possess the right skills, experience, behaviour, attitude and morality that the employer is seeking. The way you present your CV effectively demonstrates your ability to communicate, and particularly to explain a professional business proposition.

Start with your profile.

It is a good idea to start by looking at the application from the employer’s point of view. Write down a description of the type of person you think they are looking for, then use this to build your CV. Always write in sort sentences, each of which should make a specific point. Above all, never write long, convoluted sentences that will only irritate and deter the reader.

Previous experience

Next, list your career path starting with your most recent job and working backwards chronologically. Try to summarise your career with examples of any results you achieved for your previous employers, including ‘Key Achievements’ or ‘Key Experience’.

Put as much relevant information as possible on the first page. This could be your career history (starting with your current job) or, if your current role is not as relevant as previous jobs, a more general overview of your experience under the heading ‘Key Achievements’ or ‘Key Experience’.

This is no time to be a shrinking violet. It may feel strange, but do not shy away from pointing out your strengths and abilities. You also need to be explicit about how your skills match the job you are applying for. However, do not boast – and always tell the truth.

And remember – tailor your basic CV to match every job you apply for; keep it to two pages; check and double-check the spelling, punctuation and grammar; wait for the interviews to come.

When you are confident about what you have written, give it to someone else to read it through and check it thoroughly.

Finally, if you have any problems writing your CV, simply call one of our consultants at Calco on 020 8655 1600 for more tips and advice