The visual layout of a CV says a lot more about its owner than you might think. If an applicant hasn’t organised, prioritised and correctly labelled a document that is about themselves, what does it say about them?
Headings, lists, bold or italicised text and variant font size are just some of the techniques to ensure that you, the applicant, are presented in the best possible way. A great way to pick up some easy points and make that great first impression.
Personal details: The document is about YOU, it is your unique personal marketing tool. Make sure your name is displayed clearly at the top of the CV, this is the most important information of all. Contact details, date of birth and additional personal information should be displayed neatly underneath.
Example:
Sally Smith
| 1 Aristotle Road, London SW7 ABU | s.s@gmail.com | 0207123456 | DoB 9/1/82 |
Career History: Begin with the company name, then always follow with dates. I like to underline this whole line, it helps separate the document, allowing the reader to quickly jump between sections or look back. Enter your role in bold text underneath, from here you can give a brief description or use bullet points to make a list.
Example:
British Telecom June 2000-present
Sales Director:
‘Education’, ‘Hobbies’, and ‘Other Relevant Skills’ should be presented much the same as above. This creates a well divided, clear and organised document.