How to present your experience on your CV
When it comes to crafting an employable CV, presenting your previous experience effectively is crucial. Recruiters spend only seconds skimming through CVs, so your goal is to make your experience stand out in a clear and impactful way. Below are key strategies to help you highlight your most relevant roles and accomplishments on your CV.
1. Tailor Your Experience to the Job
Before writing your CV, ensure it is customised for the specific job and industry you are applying for. While you may have diverse experiences, emphasise those most relevant to the position. For example, if you’re applying for an accounting role, highlight your bookkeeping, accountancy, and data analytics skills. Even unrelated past experiences can be valuable if framed correctly.
2. Use Reverse Chronological Order
List your job roles starting with your current or most recent position. This widely used format ensures that your most relevant and recent experiences are highlighted first, making it easy for recruiters to identify your qualifications.
3. Write Strong, Action-Oriented Bullet Points
Under each job title, use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb such as “coordinated,” “developed,” “increased,” or “directed.” This approach gives your CV an active, dynamic tone and showcases the impact you made in each role.
4. Quantify Your Achievements
Where possible, use numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. Metrics like “increased sales by 20%,” “reduced operational costs by 15%,” or “managed a team of 5” provide concrete evidence of your impact. Be truthful, as hiring managers may request proof of these achievements.
5. Focus on Key Skills and Achievements
Avoid listing every task you’ve performed. Instead, concentrate on key skills and significant accomplishments in each role. Highlighting what you contributed rather than what you were responsible for sets your CV apart.
6. Show Career Progression
If you’ve been promoted or taken on additional responsibilities within a company, highlight that progression. This demonstrates to potential employers that you were trusted and valued, signalling your ability to grow in new positions.
7. Keep it Concise
For older roles, limit your descriptions to two or three bullet points, while more recent or relevant positions can have four to five bullet points. The goal is to provide enough detail to show your qualifications without overwhelming the reader.
8. Use a Clean, Easy-to-Read Format
Presentation matters. Make sure your CV is visually appealing, with well-defined sections, consistent formatting, and sufficient white space. Choose a professional font and avoid excessive colours or graphics. A well-organised CV is more likely to capture a recruiter’s attention.
Final Thoughts
Your previous experience is the backbone of your CV, but how you present it can make all the difference. Focus on tailoring your experience to the job, using clear and impactful language, and quantifying your achievements to stand out. With these strategies, your CV will make a strong impression on potential employers.
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