CV Tips

Online there are hundreds of different websites offering the best advice on CV’s and how to present them. Our family of Recruitment specialists have put together their cv bible to help you deliver the best version of you to future employers.

Firstly, the point of the CV is to showcase yourself. This is the way of applying to the job you really want to give you the opportunity to sit down with a new company and discuss through what you can bring while also letting them know what they will gain.

Key points

Often you will read ‘no more than 2 pages’ this is generally good advice but don’t let this dictate your CV. Follow the details below, create the CV then look to cut down the elements that aren’t needed. At this stage please don’t hesitate to email us your CV and we will be happy to finalise the CV for you. Please send your CV to info@octanerecruitment.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

DO'S

DON'T

1. Personal Details

The first thing on a CV and crucial information, make sure you add all of the right information. You want people to contact you so make sure you have everything on the CV.

Full name
Full address – Include your street name, town / city and post code. Really important to calculate commute to work.
Mobile number – Make sure you respond to anyone that tries to contact you. Always make time to check voicemails and all communications.
Email Address – You will want to know the details on new jobs so make sure you check your email regularly and take time to respond to people who have taken the time to contact you.
Some people have addresses such as ‘crazylegsmark@hotmail.com’, this won’t make too much difference but can leave an element of uncertainty. You are best to create an email such as ‘john_smith@hotmail.com’

2. Profile / Personal Statement

This is your opportunity to give an quick overview of you, what you have done and why you are a good candidate. Tell us, in no more than 2 paragraphs, about you and your background. You should tailor this to the job applied for if possible.

How much experience do you have and a bit of detail about what you have done over the years
What are you like as a person
What you like in the working environment.
What do you bring that the next candidate doesn’t?!

For instance see here for a statement a Technician recently wrote. Reading this information automatically makes you think you are on to a good candidate. In this short space he has told me that he has all the skills I require for the role and brings further skills to benefit his application.

Example:
A qualified light vehicle technician and MOT tester with 10 years’ experience working in a car dealership. Working as part of a small team, time management and being willing to adapt to any task were key aspects of the job.

Extensive product knowledge: Learning and knowing the product I work on.
Practical skills: Knowing which tools to use and when.
Fault finding: Identifying faults and using diagnostic equipment.
Time management: Deciding which jobs to do in which order to meet deadlines.
Interacting with customers: Asking questions and listening to customers to understand their complaint and explaining to them what needs to be done and why.

3. Work History

This is the most important part of your CV. We need to know where you worked, when (Start and finish dates are crucial!), job title, duties and any particular strong points.

Depending on how many jobs you have had we would recommend a detailed account of your present job then previous 2 roles. Any job prior to this just list dates, company and job title

DO NOT lie on your CV, taking a company out or having the dates wrong will come back to haunt you. The details will often come out so make sure you include all working history so you are honest from the outset.

Dates – This is crucial. Have the start and finish dates.
Where you worked – Put your place of work, don’t worry about the full address.
Job title – again this is crucial that you are 100% honest, only put your official job title
Duties – Give us a brief breakdown of what you did
Key attributes – tell us what you did, areas where you exceeded in the role, any additional training and awards / special details.

Example

May 2012 – Present Ford Manchester
Sales Executive (New & Used Cars)

Duties

Dealing with customers, on a daily basis, to determine their needs / requirements to secure the best vehicle for them. Using my years of experience within the motor trade I am able to deal with people in a professional and personable manner to find the right solution.

Able to Demonstrate key functions in a professional and clear manner
Strong Negotiation skills
Prospecting potential customers coming towards the end of their agreement

Key Attributes

Top Sales Executive for the last 12 months
Sales Executive of the year 2019
Sold 230 units in 2020 (130 used & 100 new)

4. Education and Qualifications

Another crucial element depending on the job you are applying to. For instance, if you are a Paint Sprayer make sure you add the qualifications you have gained, what college you went to and dates.

Add your School, College and University qualifications plus relevant work courses & qualifications
Detail any additional training courses and dates

5. Hobbies & Interests

Often people over look this section as its doesn’t seem relevant to your experience but that couldn’t be more wrong! This section is to give everyone a good understanding of you and how you would fit in with the whole team.

I enjoy motor-cross, surfing and spending time with my family. Married with 2 daughters – This tells us you are fun individual while also someone who is looking to support their family.

6. References

Putting references is always recommended, this shows you have nothing to hide and you are confident in your abilities. References won’t be contacted until you have accepted a new role and signed a contract.