CV Advice

Who are we looking for?

When you're creating a CV, ensure you bear in mind some of the key attributes that many employers look for in an employee:

• Strategic thinkers, people with relentless passion and a hunger to learn
• Team players who are willing to work with others
• Individuals with unique thoughts and fresh ideas

What to avoid when writing a CV

It's important to create a well-written and properly formatted CV. There are some things you should never include on a CV:

• Protected characteristics: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Pregnancy, Marital Status, Race, Religion or Belief, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
• Any personal views on the above topics
• A photograph
• References
• Lies or misinformation

Below are some further things to avoid:

• Unreadable format - this is your chance to put your best self forward, so make sure the format is easy to read
• Incomplete contact details - ensure you include your full contact details so the team don't struggle to get in touch with any next steps
• Inappropriate personal details - only include what is relevant for your application
• Bland and generic language - you're not a robot, so make sure your CV doesn't read like it's been auto generated and bring your personality into it

What to include in your CV

• Consistent font - don't change fonts throughout and keep it familiar and basic (Arial 12pt)
• Send as a PDF - don't send your CV as a word doc
• Personal details complete and up to date - ensure the information you're entering is accurate and there's nothing missing
• Concise and relevant language - avoid words that don't add meaning and bulk out a sentence, keep it concise
• Avoid excessive information - really think about what we need to know and what's relevant for your application

Final thoughts

Always remember to include any extra-curricular activities, including sports, societies, hobbies and interests - these all help your personality shine through and help the team learn more about you.