Updating your CV and applying for a job can be daunting and time-consuming, but it needn’t be. Here are some do’s and don’ts that will help you create a good CV.
BE CLEAR AND CONCISE
Your CV should have relevant information and be easy to read. If you worked for two weeks in a supermarket when you were 18, it probably isn’t relevant information for a job in architecture. It will be more information for a hiring manager to read than necessary.
FORMAT
The format of your CV is critical. You want the reader to be able to navigate your skills and experience quickly, and the design you choose can help or hinder this. We would recommend your CV be formatted in the following order:
· Name, Address, Email and Contact Number
· Profile – Try to keep this short and sweet and relevant to the job you are applying for
· Experience/Employment History – Include the name of the company you worked for, how long you worked for them and your position with your most recent role first
· Skills – Relevant Software knowledge and how long you have used them for
· Education – Include dates with your most recent qualification first
· Additional Information like hobbies, voluntary work, and training courses are optional
FOCUS YOUR CV ON THE JOB YOU WANT
Many people send out CVs that haven’t been updated with their recent work or expertise, which is to their detriment. Make sure your CV has all your most relevant skills and experience to maximise your chances of an interview.
If a job ad is looking for a Revit proficient Architect with large-scale residential project experience, which you have, you need to make that clear to the hiring manager. Make sure your Revit skills, ARB / RIBA or equivalent qualifications are listed clearly and present the critical large-scale residential projects at the front you have worked on so the hiring manager can see you are someone they should reach out and contact.
FONT
A candidate with a more visually appealing CV is more likely to be invited for an interview, so choosing the right font is vital. Comic Sans isn’t going to cut it, and using multiple fonts in several colours and sizes is even more unlikely to result in an interview. Keep it simple and use fonts like Calibri or Verdana, which look professional and are easy on the eye.
PROOFREAD IT
Once you have got your CV looking the way you want to read it or ask someone else to, if your CV doesn’t read well, or has typos or mistakes, then make the necessary amendments before sending it out to job ads you like. The last thing you want is for there to be an obvious and avoidable error which could cost you an interview.
FOLLOW UP
Follow up if you haven’t heard back after a few days or a week. There is nothing wrong with showing you are keen to be considered for a role, which hiring managers often look upon favourably. You will also get to discuss your CV feedback directly, which is a win-win.
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