Preparing a Good CV

A CV is often the first form of contact you will have with a prospective employer. As with any first impression, it is vital that this is positive and that it secures you that all-important interview. It may take time to get it right, but it is definitely time well spent.

Where to start

If you are unsure about what you want and unclear as to what employers are looking for, it may be a good idea to start by reading through job pages in magazines and newspapers and scanning the internet. This will help you to discover the specific skills that organisations are looking for in your particular role and region.

As we all know, employers are busy people. You need to get their attention and provide them with all the information they need quickly and concisely. Don’t try to use the latest fonts or add pictures, just keep it simple and stick to a standard format.

Format

Your name, contact details and personal information should come first on a CV. Only include a work phone number if you don’t mind being contacted there and make sure that all these details are up to date.

After a career objective, which states what you want (avoid beginning this with ‘all I’ve ever wanted to be is a…’), list your qualifications, educational achievements and any industry affiliations. Chartered memberships and industry qualifications are also extremely desirable to new employers. They provide tangible evidence that you are not only interested in the construction industry, but are actively contributing to it.

Follow this with your work experience in reverse order, so that the most recent appears first. When referring to projects that you have worked on, be specific. Detail the value of the project, the length of time you worked on the project and your individual role. This information is invaluable to an employer.

Don’t leave gaps in your CV. If you took a year out or carried out an interim assignment, say so, otherwise potential employers can suspect the worst.

And last but by no means least, keep the document to two pages or less.

Target your CV

Once you have the basic elements of your CV in place, you need to target it towards the specific job. What qualities are specified in the job brief? Does your CV clearly highlight that you can meet these requirements? This will entail in-depth research into the company and the industry. Use all resources available to you: libraries often store information on local companies, the internet provides reams of information, plus your recruitment consultant will have inside knowledge into the company and know exactly what they are looking for.

Finally…

Don’t forget to spell-check your CV. A huge number of candidates make this elementary mistake. It gives the employer a terrible first impression – some are even likely to dismiss your application on the spot if they find an obvious mistake.

Also, make sure you keep a copy of your targeted CVs – you will need them to refresh your memory when you get to the next stage: the first interview. Good luck!

For further information please contact Mike McNally, regional manager of Hays Building Services, on 020 7259 8780.