CV Advice

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Newbie!

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I'm about to apply for a senior role in prof admin in a government body and I'm not sure what a good cv looks like anymore. I've been off work for a few years so haven't sat on interview panels or been interviewed.
What's the best construct for a CV now?
Are introductory profile paragraphs still a thing?
Do we still list our work history chronologically?
Do we identify skills and competencies? IF so, how are they listed - under each job or jobs are listed under each competency?
Basically, how do I get noticed through my CV?

Thanks
 
I review 500+ CVs a year. I can tell you what I and my colleagues do but I'm in healthcare and each industry will differ, so it would be good to talk to senior people in your profession.

If there is an application template, follow it carefully. If they ask for A, B, and C, then make sure you give this information clearly and at the beginning. If you want to add D, E, and F, then these can be added at the end in another section or an appendix.

When I go through a pile of CVs, I want to be able to see the important stuff on the front page so I can quickly check if someone meets the basic requirements, e.g. do they have the correct degree. It is very time consuming and frustrating when required information is either missing or buried on page 7.

If there are no templates/requirements, have a look at the job description, person specification, and any other documents that they can provide related to the role. Highlight the key points and tailor your CV to this. If they use keyword or headings, your CV should reflect this.

Some people take "curriculum vitae" literally and will give your their whole life story - this is usually unhelpful. I prefer the American idea of a "résumé", i.e. a summary which is as concise and clear as possible.

My preferences are CVs of maximum 2 pages, size 11+ font, reverse chronological order for everything, short cover letter of 1-2 paragraphs. If you have a cover letter or introductory paragraph make sure to tailor it to the application. It is off-putting to read a generic letter which has obviously been copied and pasted.

I find bullet points are better than blocks of text but if you want to do prose then avoid weasel words. I like to see competencies in one list rather than broken down by job.

We get applications from all over the world and there are lots of style/structure differences. I like the Europass CV template which is more common in Europe:

Europass_CV_Example.png

There are many online companies that specialise in CV writing. I have never used them but I know people who have and found them good.

Whatever you do, make sure to spellcheck every time you make a change. Also ask people to proofread and critique before submitting.
 
Newbie! said:
I'm about to apply for a senior role in prof admin in a government body
Click to expand...
Do they even ask for a CV? Some public service jobs just look for career and demographic information in a standardised format via online or other kind of form.
 
Public sector usually have a template to be followed and a particular format of interview. It's not about standing out, but they are scored and you need to score highly to get to the next round.

I would advise doing a interview techniques course on how do you these specific style of interviews. As it will help you with the CV, interview and any tests.

If they are not doing the above. Then I would still get a professional CV and interview. If you consider what you hope to gain from the position then cost of a course or CV expert is very little but could be a good investment.

In general the less the better when it comes to CV and hitting all the key words from the job spec. Higher positions might involve a presentation and multiple rounds.
 
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