Your CV is the one single document that determines whether you are called to interview or not. It’s critical to have it laid out correctly so It sells you in the best possible way.
An example of the best structure is below:
Name
Education
Dates (incl Month) (Where you studied) (Name of Course & Grade)
Sept 2014 – Sept 2015 BPP Law School Legal Practice Course Pass
Sept 2011 – June 20 London School Economics LLB 2:1
Work Experience
Dec 2017- Present KPMG
Consultant
Initiating large volumes of Tier 2 cases and advising throughout;
Directly liaising with the account manager and senior managers on sending advisory emails out to the client;
Directly calling the clients and the client recruitment team on Tier 2 advice and options;
Monitoring and updating the RLMT spreadsheet;
Presented to the client on recent RCoS allocations and restrictions for Tier 2 Generals
Assisted and attended on Brexit seminars with the client as well as presenting a slide on Employment implications for large corporate businesses in discriminating against EEA workers coming into the UK
Attending ILPA meetings and representing on behalf of KPMG
(Continue work history going backwards)
Achievements
March 2018 Given extra responsibility to mentor junior members
April 2016 Promoted within 6 months to consultant
Mar 2007 Captain of badminton team
Hobbies & Interests
Sports: Sunday league Badminton player for local Club
Music: Play the guitar in a band for the last 3 years
Do’s
- Reverse chronological order. Your current job first going backwards
- Bullet point your duties
- Tailor your CV according to the role you are applying for
- If you have gaps between vacancies, explain what you were doing in a sentence
- Keep fonts and sizes consistent
- It’s best to keep to 2 pages. If your experience exceeds the 2 page limit, reduce duties in your earlier positions
- Consider a video CV if you are comfortable in front of a camera
Don’ts
- No personal profile is required. It’s better to have a covering letter to explain why you think you are suitable
- No photograph of your face
- Do not write in the 1st person. So no pronouns such as “I” and “me”.
- Don’t explain what you learnt on the job. Just stick to the facts on what you did
- Don’t include references at the bottom
- Do not exaggerate or lie. It will only backfire.
