Candidate Advice

Needless to say we’ve seen a fair few CVs in our time. In truth these days most are ok, some are excellent but there have been several entertaining examples over the years that have passed into MorePeople folklore!

These days there is a wide range of advice out there for anyone looking to write their CV, you can even just load up a template if you can’t muster up the energy to design your own. However, whatever your style here’s a few basic hints and tips that we’d recommend you try and stick with.

• Spelling! Check, check and check again. It’s not just a case of a quick whiz over with the spellchecker but read it over and check the logic. English or American? Some people aren’t quite so picky these days but if you are British it’s nice to see that reflected on your CV.
• Get the names right! That’s not just the names of the people you are sending your CV to but also companies that you’ve worked for. If the business also has a set style or branding then a good indicator of your attention to detail is picking that up on your application.
• Photos? A moot point. Not generally a common feature on British CVs and really a personal choice. Can be a touch of the ‘dating agency’ about them if you’re not careful, so we’d generally steer clear. However, if you do feel the need to add one then please keep it professional. Shots of you and your favourite labrador or you staring lovingly at your beloved motorbike are for your facebook page not your CV!
• Your e-mail address - think business, think professional. If you’ve got one of those ever so funny and amusing e-mail names that has your friends in stitches every time you pop up in their inbox, you just might want to get a new hotmail account. First impressions count – that goes for recruiters as well as prospective employers!
• Do your research and keep it relevant. If you really want that job, don’t just send a generic CV – target the company and the role you are applying for and makes sure the content of your CV makes clear why you’d be suitable. It takes a bit of effort but it’s time well spent if you want to get past stage one and end up on the ‘yes’ pile!
• Don’t waffle! A well thought out and precise CV is much more appealing than one that is pages and pages of lists of daily duties and short courses you’ve been on. Two pages would be ideal but three should be the maximum.
• Genuine achievements? Make sure those achievements you’ve listed are actually yours and not someone else’s that you’ve piggy backed on, as despite what you might think professional recruiters and HR managers do actually know what they’re doing and are more than adept at weeding out any small anomalies or stories that don’t quite stack up. Rest assured, sooner or later, your sins will find you out!

Just remember, simple and straight forward always work best. Don’t over complicate and don’t panic! But whatever your experience the team here at MorePeople are always on hand to help with advice on your CV - it’s part of what we do so please don’t be shy, ask us for advice.