What is a CV without your experience? This is your chance to SHOW readers your accomplishments, contributions, skills and achievements. This can be a very difficult section to get right, so we have put together some pointers to help you:
Focus on what’s important
Your CV is a marketing tool, so it is important to include what YOU feel will add value to you with your next career move. This can include new skills gained, relevant experience and major milestones achieved. Anything quantifiable can be included too as this adds more credibility behind your abilities as a professional.
Any experience over 10 years is historic…
… and should be listed as Additional Experience. Simply state the Job Title, Year and Company. If it is mentioned on the CV, it becomes a talking point in an interview. This can be represented as a paragraph list, or in bullet points (depending on the space available). If you have worked in the same company for longer than this, the further back you go the less emphasis is needed when discussing your experience.
Be mindful of the CV layout
The ideal length of a CV is 2-pages (with 3-pages being the maximum). If you have similar roles e.g. you were a Sales Associate in 2010 and a Sales Associate in 2016, the duties for both would be the same, but there are some differences in the achievements – the experience in 2010 may be added as Additional Experience and the 2016 position will highlight day-to-day duties PLUS achievements. This will reserve space and avoid repetition.
Need more CV tips? Contact one of our CV Writers today!
- Missed Step 1? Read it here: How to Write a Concise Professional Profile
- Missed Step 2? Read it here: Dust off the Cobwebs and Brush up Your Skills
- Missed Step 3? Read it here: Highlight your Education, Qualifications and Training