Do Your Homework

There are two points I want to make here. Although the need to emphasize your most important attributes and skills to each potential recruiter remains constant, formatting trends have varied over time. The first tip on how to write a winning CV is to check what the current trend is. You can check online where there may even be free templates for you to use.

A generic CV is not a winning CV. Do your research on the company to which you wish to apply for employment. Again check online. Well established companies will have their own websites. Check newspaper articles and magazines. Build on your knowledge of the company and its current needs and plans. Why?

Because, even if this is your first CV, you can still tailor it to highlight the personal and professional skills you possess that will help the company meet its current and future challenges.

Remember always that your CV may be one of many being reviewed as part of initial selection process. Aim to impress on the first page which brings us to the next tip on how to write a winning CV.

Formatting Rules

Regardless of trends, keep your CV to two pages. From my own experience in assisting blue chip companies in recruitment and selection, few recruiters read beyond page one especially if they have not been impressed by what they have read thus far.

So, make sure the important relevant information is included on the first page and in a format that is easy to read. For example use formatting techniques such as bullet points and also make sure everything is aligned perfectly. Make good use of white space. Don't worry, it is amazing how much information you can get on one page.

Keep it simple. You will not impress the recruiter by using fancy graphics or making your CV difficult to read. You want to create a winning CV and not one that puts off the recruiter from reading what you have to say.

Stick to the standard fonts of Arial, Times New Roman or possibly Verdana. Keep the background white. It is likely that if you send your CV electronically that it will be printed off prior to interview. You certainly won't have a winning CV if you have used non standard fonts or anything else that disturbs the look of the final print out. If it is difficult to read can you guess what will happen to it?

If you do send your CV in electronic format, you can make sure that it will be formatted correctly when printed by converting the document into a.pdf file. It will also look like a professional document.

Use The Tools At Your Disposal

There is absolutely no excuse for spelling errors or typos. Whether you are using Word or any other modern word processor, you have access to a spell checker, so use it. Also make sure that the statements you make are grammatically correct.

I'd even go a stage further. If you are in the US and you are sending your CV to the UK or vice versa then use the appropriate spelling.

All of these simple tips will not guarantee you get the job. However, I can assure you that if you do submit a CV with simple errors, you are sending a message that you don't really care and that you do not pay attention to detail. And I can also assure you that your CV will end in the trash.

Follow the rules and recognize what the recruiter needs and wants to know and there is nothing to stop you writing a winning CV.