1. Start with the vacancy
Save the advert and underline its essential requirements. Separate qualifications you must have from experience described as an advantage. Build your CV around evidence you actually possess; repeating the advert without proof will not make you a stronger candidate.
2. Make contact details easy to find
Put your name, working phone number, email address and city near the top. Check that your voicemail and email are usable. Include a portfolio link when it demonstrates relevant work. Avoid adding sensitive identity details unless a verified application process requires them.
3. Write a specific introduction
Replace “hardworking team player” with the work you can do. For example: “Retail assistant with experience handling customer enquiries, replenishing stock and preparing daily cash-up records.” Adapt the example to your own background.
4. Use a straightforward layout
Choose clear headings, readable text and consistent spacing. A simple single-column layout is a useful starting point. Keep essential information in ordinary text rather than images, charts or decorative skill ratings.
5. Put relevant experience first
List recent roles before older ones. Include employer, role and dates, then explain the responsibilities most relevant to the application. Use enough space to make your evidence understandable; there is no universal page limit for every profession.
6. Show what changed because of your work
Describe the task, your action and the result. “Created a stock-check sheet used at closing” is more informative than “responsible for stock”. Add numbers only when you can explain and support them.
7. Include experience beyond paid employment
For an early-career CV, relevant coursework, community projects, volunteering and personal projects can demonstrate skills. Label them accurately so a recruiter can distinguish employment from study or voluntary work.
8. Use the employer’s terminology honestly
If the advert asks for spreadsheet skills and you have used Excel, say what you did with it. Do not hide keywords or list tools you have never used. Different recruitment systems work differently; no template guarantees selection.
9. Follow the requested file instructions
Use the file type and size specified in the advert. Open the finished file on another device if possible. Check that text can be selected, links work and page breaks have not separated headings from their content.
10. Complete a final accuracy check
Read every date, qualification and contact detail. Ask someone to check clarity and spelling. Save a named copy for the role and keep it with the advert so you know exactly what the employer received.
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