What to include in your CV

What to include in your CV

Writing a good CV (Curriculum Vitae) is crucial for landing job interviews and securing your desired job.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create and craft an effective CV

  1. Choose the Right CV Format:

Chronological CV: Lists your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first).

  1. Contact Information:

Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and professional.

  1. CV Profile Summary

Write a concise, compelling summary statement. This should briefly highlight your work experience, qualification, skills and achievements as you want to stand out. This is something I would highlight to include in your CV.

  1. Work Experience:

List your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.

Include the job title, the name of the company, location, and dates of employment (month and year).

E.g., of layout

Dates –

Company Name –

Position –

 Provide detailed bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% in Q3 2022”).

  1. Education:

List your educational background, starting with your most recent degree.

Include the degree earned, the name of the institution, graduation date, and relevant honours or awards.

  1. Skills:

Highlight your key skills, both technical and soft skills, that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Use a bulleted list or a skills section to make them easily identifiable.

E.g., if computer literate and used Advanced Excel or SAGE for accounting list these.

  1. Certifications and Training:

Include any relevant certifications, workshops, or training programs you’ve completed.

  1. Professional Memberships:

Mention any memberships in professional organisations or associations related to your field.

  1. Projects or Portfolio (if applicable):

Include a section showcasing relevant projects, publications, or a link to your portfolio website. Best add this as a separate document e.g., in Graphic design jobs

  1. Languages (if applicable):

List any languages you speak and your proficiency level if relevant to the job.

  1. References (optional):

It’s common to mention that references are available upon request. You don’t need to provide them on your CV unless explicitly asked.

  1. Formatting Tips:

Use a clean, professional font and maintain consistent formatting throughout e.g., Times new roman 12

Keep your CV concise, ideally limiting it to no more than 3 pages.

Use bullet points for readability and avoid dense paragraphs.

Proofread your CV carefully to eliminate typos and errors.

  1. Tailor Your CV:

Customise your CV for each job application by emphasising skills and experiences relevant to the specific job description. Don’t use the same CV for different job roles, Put some effort into it.

  1. Update Your CV Regularly:

Keep your CV up to date with your most recent experiences, skills, and achievements.

  1. Get Feedback:

Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to ensure your CV is clear and compelling.

Remember, your CV is your marketing tool, so make sure it presents you in the best possible light and is tailored to the job you’re applying for. Adapt and refine it as needed for different positions and industries.

The right CV will get you an interview and that’s your number one goal.

So best put some effort into it, with relevant content too.

Good luck

Cathy

Job opportunity Field Sales Executive (Packaging) based Omagh, N.Ireland

Field Sales Executive c30k + OTE 40k, not capped + company car- Covering Ireland North & South

My client is an established innovative flexible packaging company that provide solutions to the food, industrial and horticultural industries. As they experience a period of sustained growth, they are looking for an experienced Field Sales Executive with a proven track record in field sales, preferably within packaging.

The company pride their selves on quality, flexibility, rapid response and reliability and require the successful candidate to possess these qualities

The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, resourceful with a strong sales background and good trading knowledge.

The Role

This role will be divided between new business development and account management.
The successful candidate will be responsible for generating new business, identifying new leads and sales opportunities.
You will also be responsible for account management with established clients and upselling new offers and products to them.
Proactively put steps in place to build relations with past, current and future customers
The ideal candidate must be used to working in a target driven sales environment and target focused and driven.
You will be resourceful by mapping out potential leads and opportunities.
The role involves working with the Internal sales team who will be there to support you.
Strong organisational skills required as you must be able to plan and organise your workload and appointments.
Qualifications and Skills

The successful candidate must have minimum 3 years proven track record in field sales working to targets.
A track record in achieving goals and working to targets is essential.
Experience working and selling packaging products to food industries/Industrial and horticultural industries desirable.
Commercial awareness and business acumen necessary to secure business in a range of markets.
Packaging experience would be an advantage.
Strong negotiating skills with the ability to close essential.
Exceptional communication skills with a passion for building relationships
Ability to communicate and negotiate comfortably at all levels
Full clean driving licence
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS POSITION