Legislate

What is a CV?

A Curriculum vitae (CV) is a document which summarises a person's employment history and certifications in order to demonstrate their suitability for a role to a potential employer. CVs are essential in job applications and help a hiring manager determine if a candidate has the relevant experience and key skills in order to succeed in the new role.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter, also known as a personal statement is an opportunity for the candidate to give some background to their CV and explain why they are motivated for the role. Cover letters should be tailored to the job description to increase the likelihood of being offered a job interview. A cover letter can be a short paragraph at the top of your CV or a formal letter attached to the CV.

What will recruiters look for in your CV?

Hiring managers will look in your CV and cover letter for relevant work experience which will increase your likelihood of being successful in the new role. Moreover, hiring managers will try assess if you are likely to fit in the company's culture and work processes based on your past experiences (e.g. ability to work remotely or in teams).

What to include in your CV?

The best CVs are clear and tell a consistent story with a clear direction. This will make it easier for the hiring manager to understand how the proposed role will help the candidate reach their career goals. A good CV will therefore have a clear goal outlines in the personal statement and relevant section headings which highlight work experience and education in reverse chronological order.

How to prepare a CV?

To prepare a great CV, you must first outline and prioritise your work experience based on the role you are applying for. Once your story has been crafted, you can use a CV maker, CV templates or resume examples to structure the experience into a CV. These options make it much easier to guarantee the quality of the format and CV look and feel.