Posted on 2nd May 2017 by New College Group

How To Improve Your CV in 5 easy Ways

Once you’ve graduated from university, you’ll no doubt be looking for work. The first thing you’ll need to do is create a CV to showcase your experience and talents.

Some students struggle with writing their CV. They don’t know what to include or how to stand out from other applicants.

With that in mind, here are 5 easy ways you can improve your CV.

1. Keep it concise

It can be tempting to write down every single thing you’ve ever done to try and prove to a future employer that you’ve got a lot of experience. However, the best thing to do is keep it short and to the point. All the information you include must be relevant to the specific job. Ideally your CV should be no longer than two pages.

2. Triple-check your spelling

Make sure you check your spelling. Some employers will simply dismiss a candidate that has a spelling mistake in their CV. If you feel like you’ve been looking at your CV too much, ask a friend to look over it for you. You don’t want a spelling mistake being the reason you miss out on a job you’re perfect for.

3. Volunteer

Employers love volunteering. Whether it’s done within university or is something completely separate. You don’t have to worry about your volunteer experience necessarily being related to your degree or career path, as any volunteering shows you’re willing to dedicate your time to a worthy cause.

4. Get some work experience

Whilst you’re at university, it’s helpful to have a part-time job. You don’t have to do many hours, just a few a week. Employers will view you as responsible, good at time-management and able to commit to more than one thing at a time. Employers love candidates who can multitask and are already familiar with being in work!

5. Keep the layout simple

Employers may not have a lot of time to read your CV (and they’ve probably got a pile to get through) so you need to make it as easy to read as possible. Keep the layout and the design clean and simple. If you’re looking to work in a more creative environment you can afford to be a bit more creative with your CV. However, for more often than not it’s best to keep it simple.

For more help and tips about further education and career advancement, contact us at the NCG English Language School.