CV Advice

A good CV is a powerful tool. In less than 30 seconds it should be able to truthfully sell your achievements and secure you an interview. Based on our expert knowledge of CVs these are our tips:

Essentially there are two types of CV formats:

Chronological CV: This traditional format is best suited to professionals with a formal history of work experience. It should list previous employers and job roles in detail and in chronological (date) order.

Functional or skill CV: This format is better suited to individuals who've recently started working. These types of CVs are more descriptive and focus more on education and transferable skills.

Whichever one you choose the following rules apply:

A maximum of two pages - unless you're very senior
Perfect grammar and spelling. It's one of the easiest mistakes to make and looks really unprofessional. At Joslin Rowe we realise this all too well as we often receive CVs from candidates who address their letters to either Joslin Row, Joslyn Rowe or even Joselyn Rowe!
A clear font with a minimum size of 11 points
Concise information presented in bullet points
No lies or photos!

Both types of CV should include:

Personal details - name, address, contact numbers, e-mail, languages plus visa details if applicable.
Professional qualifications and systems
Educational qualifications - include both university and school qualifications in chronological order.
A line stating references are available on request. Ensure that you know who your referees are, and have confirmed with them that they are happy to be contacted.

Then for a Chronological CV include:

Employment History
Start with your current/last employer and work backwards. You should provide the following information:

Name of employer, nature of the business and turnover
Job title & accurate dates of employment
Responsibilities and duties
Achievements
Reason for leaving in one line

If you have extensive experience, your early career can be described in less detail. If you have any gaps because of travelling or a career break - make sure you explain them.

For a Functional or Skills CV include:

Key skills
These should be listed as 4 or 5 bullet points with a paragraph of supporting evidence underneath. Make sure you quantify your results at all times. For example: