How to write the perfect IT CV
TechNET IT Recruitment understand that writing a CV outlining your Education, Qualifications, Employment Details & References can be a challenging task. We have put some tips together to help you.
Above all you must emphasise your potential and suitability for the job.
How long should my CV be?
Try to keep your CV to 2-3 pages. Make sure every point is relevant and keep your wording simple.
How should I present my CV?
Use a single clean font (such as Arial) in black ink, typed on A4 white paper.
How should I lay my CV out?
Your CV should be clearly laid out in logical sections. Use bold headings and bullet points to emphasise where necessary.
What Content should I include on my CV?
Spend time ensuring you list your specific skills and qualifications in a well worded and concise manner.
How Accurate should my CV be?
We strongly advise for you not to lie on your CV. Instead, tailor your past achievements and skills to match the contract requirements.
What format does my CV need to be?
There are no rules for the layout of a professional CV, however the following format could be used as a template…
Personal Details
Name:
Address:
Contact Details:
Date of Birth:
Nationality:
Education
In reverse chronological order briefly summarise your degree and exam results. Include any technical qualifications you have that are relevant for the role you are applying for.
Technical Summary
Make a bullet point list of your key skills, e.g. Hardware, Software, Operating Systems and Applications. These should stand out, as the potential client will be scanning a large number of CVs per role. A clear, concise list will encourage them to read the rest of your CV.
Brief Employment Summary
Write a paragraph, summarising the highlights/most impressive aspects of your career history.
Previous Employment / Contracts
In reverse chronological order list your employment history – Don’t leave any gaps. For each job, detail your position, what you did, which skills and technologies you used. Although technical expertise is of most interest to potential clients it is important not to forget teamwork and/or leadership skills.
Other Skills / Personal Interests
Talk specifically about genuine interests; give examples to demonstrate your characteristics, such as conveying your ability to work well in team and/or alone by referring to any sport/social activities you may be involved. Extensive foreign travel, knowledge of foreign languages are also examples that work well here.
References
Give 2 referees, preferably your most recent employer and the employer prior to that.
Additionally:
- Cover letters are useful, but not essential. A well formatted, well thought-out CV will be sufficient to tell the employer why you are the right candidate for their role.
- A two-page CV is recommended, but it is not necessarily the rule. For those with over 10 years of professional experience, condensing it to fit into a two-page CV is not always possible, and you may omit something that could be crucial to the potential employer.
- Ensure the information provided is relevant and clearly presented.
Once you have passed the CV stage, and secured an interview, your next step is to prepare.
Visit our interview tips page for further advice.