Professional CV by The CV Experts

The format of the Professional CV has evolved gradually over the past 20 years. Most of us were taught at school to write a CV in chronological style, listing qualifications, work experience, nationality, hobbies, etc. Unfortunately some people are still applying this methodology when creating their CVs, even though the format has moved on considerably.

Professional CVs nowadays need to act as a device to highlight what you can do now, as opposed to everything you’ve done in the past. As much of the document as possible should be written in the present tense in terms of what you can offer your next employer and the kind of value you could add.

The Professional CV should open with a personal profile – a cross between a compelling mission statement about you and your objectives, and a succinct, attention-grabbing headline to immediately engage the reader.

Next should follow the key skills section, which some argue is the most important component of a good, modern Professional CV. This is where you can really blow your own trumpet, whilst remaining aware of the reader’s requirements. Your skills should be broken down into a variety of categories that are not only an accurate reflection of you and your abilities, but also conducive with the position you’re applying for. If pitched right, this section should read like a mini-brochure about the 2008 version of you. The reader should really be able to gauge your personality, style and approach in the workplace with the right choice of words.

With such a meaty start to your CV, the section which follows on your career needs only to highlight key achievements and responsibilities within each role, with onus placed on the past ten years. This section should demonstrate when and where you were able to acquire and hone the skills already mentioned.

Rounding off the CV is education, which can comprise of formal qualifications, relevant work-based training, industry accreditations and professional memberships. This part of the CV adds credence and substance.

Overall, a modern CV is much more of a selling tool rather than a record of information. The reader’s appetite should be whetted enough to result in an invitation for that all-important interview. Then it’s up to you to expand on all of the points you made in the CV and knock the interviewer dead!

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