At the beginning of a job search, your CV is your most important document. It allows you to provide a prospective employer with the basic information on which they form their first opinion. It is important therefore that you have given yourself the best opportunity to progress to the next stage of the application process which is invariably an interview.
The professional services sector is a highly specialised and competitive sector and the following are a few tips on how to present yourself on paper:
Personal Details
Include your full name, residential address, contact telephone number (for both the evening and daytime) and a secure email address.
Please note that when you register with Leighton Taylor, your contact details will be removed from your CV before it is sent to a client and all contact will be diverted via us.
Work History
This is often the part of the CV that employers will look at first, so it has to stand out and sell you. Focus on both your responsibilities and achievements and include where you can, specific campaigns where you might have influenced or increased revenue particularly in business development or sales roles. Don’t be shy about what you have done but likewise don’t exaggerate as you will need to be able to back it up in the interview with detailed information. Other points to remember:
Put as much information as you feel is necessary but break it up into bullet points so it is easier to read.
Begin with the most important elements such as strategy, planning, campaign and man-management. Work your way down to broader responsibilities.
Highlight anything you feel could distinguish you from other candidates. For example if you are a business development specialist, point out proven bid management, specific database experience or key account responsibilities.
Repeat this process for your different roles and make a judgement on the detail you need to go into. It is likely that your most recent roles will be the most relevant to your application. If you are a senior candidate you will not need to go into detail about your first marketing assistant role but make sure it is in your CV so there are no gaps.
