When your looking for a job in Glasgow you need a good CV. Your CV is a very important piece of paper, and getting it right can make all the difference to whether your application for a job is considered or not. Most people when they write a CV make it a summary of their qualifications and work history, and this is a great starting point, but the biggest thing you should remember is that this is about you getting the job.
Ideally, when you send your CV to a company you will keep all the primary information the same, but you will tailor it around the job and company that you are applying to. Remember that your application needs to stand out and you need to be seen as the person who has the skills that THIS company is looking for, and need to be dedicated to the sort of position that they are offering.
* Don’t make it too long winded – You want to make sure that the person reading it gets all the relevant information without having to read through a whole lot of waffle. One sheet of paper, with writing on one or both sides, lots of space and good clear text is usually plenty for most people.
* Make sure you stick to the correct tense – If you are writing about something you have done, write about it in the past tense, if you are talking about something you are currently involved in, use the present tense. Make sure you get these correct as this is a common failing on CVs.
* Use bullet points – Bullet points and one sentence paragraphs are a great way to make an achievement or skill stand out on the page. It becomes much easier for the person reading it to quickly get the idea of what you’ve done and what you can bring to the job.
* Consider the position and the employer – Make sure you are tailoring your application and putting in information, skills and aptitudes that are relevant and that this particular employer is looking for. It’s great to tell them that you collect tropical fish, but if they’re looking for someone who’s musically inclined, you’d be far better off telling them that you play guitar with a local band.
* Take your time and look your CV over – Is it good enough? If you were looking to employ someone, would you be interested in reading it? If not, then stop, and think about how you could improve it.
* Sell yourself – Most people find it hard to do this, but remember, if this piece of paper doesn’t sell you to your potential employer, then you won’t even get through the door for an interview. This doesn’t mean bragging about skills or qualifications that you don’t have, but it does mean that if you can back up what you are saying then you should be proud of it and highlight these things on your CV. If you don’t someone else who has done is more likely to get the job than you are.
When you’re done, check it over, spell check it, grammar check it, and ask a friend or family member to read it through as well. Once you’ve sent it off to a potential employer, it’s out there and you can’t re-do it.
