CV Tips - Layout and Structure

Filed Under: CV Advice

CV Layout Tips

Creating a well-structured CV involves several key steps to ensure it effectively highlights your qualifications. Begin with your contact information, followed by a professional summary tailored to the job you're applying for. List your work experience in reverse chronological order, detailing your responsibilities and achievements with bullet points. Include your education, emphasizing relevant coursework and honors. Add a skills section to showcase your hard and soft skills, followed by significant projects and any certifications or training. Optional sections like volunteer experience, professional affiliations, publications, and hobbies can be added if relevant. Maintain consistency in font, size, and formatting, and proofread thoroughly to avoid errors. This structured approach ensures a clear, professional, and comprehensive CV.

1) Contact Information:

Name, postcode, phone number, email.
LinkedIn profile or personal website (if applicable).

2) Professional Summary:

A brief paragraph highlighting your career goals, key skills, and experiences.
Tailor this section to the job you're applying for.

3) Work Experience:

List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Include job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on quantifiable achievements.

4) Education:

Include your degrees, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
Mention relevant coursework, honors, or awards.

5) Skills:

List your relevant hard and soft skills.
Include technical skills, languages, and any certifications.

General Structure Tips

Font and Size:

Use a professional font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri).
Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points for the main text.
Headings can be slightly larger.

Margins and Spacing:

Use standard one-inch margins.
Include adequate spacing between sections for readability.

Bullet Points:

Use bullet points to break up text and make it easier to read.
Keep bullet points concise and to the point.

Consistency:

Maintain a consistent format throughout your CV.
Use the same font, bullet points, and heading styles.

Proofreading:

Proofread your CV multiple times to avoid any typos or grammatical errors.
Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well.

Optional Sections (if applicable)

Publications:

Include any articles, papers, or books you've published.

Conferences and Presentations:

List any conferences where you've presented or attended.

Hobbies and Interests:

Mention hobbies that are relevant to the job or demonstrate valuable skills.

Register now for our Introduction to CV Writing and Interview Techniques Workshop on Wednesday, 4 September 2024

Get in touch with Sian from Forces CV Services at info@forces-cvs.co.uk or 07715 302312

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