How to write a compelling CV The visual layout of your CV is very important.

How you present yourself on paper reflects on you and first impressions count for a great deal. It must be easy to read and pleasing to the eye, as it will be one of many a recruiting manager will look at. Here is a checklist to guide you as you put your CV together: Clear and concise and no longer than two sides Use good quality plain white paper Typed (Arial font size 10 - 14 points) Set out with plenty of space Use bullets points (use only one type of bullet throughout the CV) Use indentations Type numerical figures where appropriate No tables, multiple columns, boxes and shading If your CV is in a Word Document format this will mean that you can also to email it to potential recruiters Factual, accurate and specific quoting relevant figures, dates, timescales etc. Grammatically correct without any spelling mistakes (Check the CV carefully! Use Spellchecker but don't rely on it totally) Jargon free, remember what is obvious to you may mean nothing to a potential interviewer Without abbreviations, it is better to use the full words wherever possible e.g. Certificate in Customer Service not CICS Avoid the use of I Try to use key words or action words for example designed , improved, successfully generated Include dates (in 'Jan 01' or 'January 2001' format, do not use DD/MM/YY or MM.YY), job titles and locations Use positive, strong action words What should it include? There is no specific format or order, as the order for presentation is personal to you. However, you should make sure that the first page holds the most important details or information. When deciding what to put in your CV, ask yourself if the information you are including adds value. For example, if you have been working for 20 years, how relevant is the name of your school? Your CV could be broken down into the following areas: Title Type your name (in large bold type) followed by your office address and contact telephone numbers. Personal profile or summary This is the first opportunity to sell yourself to the recruiter. This summary of no longer than 50 words can be described as your sales slogan giving an overview of the skills and experience you have to offer. Focus on your key strengths and competencies to produce a positive, rounded description of your capabilities. As this is a summary of your CV it is easier to write this last having first given thought to your competencies, skills and achievements. Career history Begin with your most recent role and show the name of the department, branch or employer, the dates from and to (it's a personal choice whether you include months or just years) and the full job title. This information may act as a sub heading under which you can list your responsibilities and achievements using short concise statements for each. Responsibilities are what the job entails; highlighting the key skills used and experience gained i.e. what did you do in the job? Achievements are how well you perform the role and your particular successes. This can include savings made, improvements implemented or something achieved over and above your daily tasks. Think about what you are/were particularly proud of in the role - try to quantify results as much as possible. For example, 'Proactively amended account opening process resulting in a saving of 10 minutes per customer'. The way you present your responsibilities and achievements should allow a recruiter to easily identify skills and competencies you have. Do not be tempted to exaggerate your achievements. It is usual to say more about your most recent roles unless you are applying for a job linked closely to something you have done some time ago. If you have had a long work history, it is recommended that you detail only the last 10 years or so with just a summary of earlier work.

Training, education and personal development You should outline your qualifications and any relevant training you have undertaken. Additionally, you should mention past and ongoing personal development, including membership of professional bodies. Be selective when compiling this section, particularly if you have many qualifications or have attended numerous courses. Choose those that are most relevant to the job applying for. A lot of detail about your schooling would not normally be necessary unless you have only recently started working. Outside interests and hobbies When outlining interests and hobbies you should not normally list more than three or four. Whenever possible make it interesting and especially include any involvement with clubs, charities or societies particularly where you hold (or have held) a responsible role e.g. parent governor, treasurer of Rotary Club, Guide/Scout leader etc. Personal details If you wish to state your date of birth (not age as this will change) and marital status, this will be the most suitable place. Your home address could also be placed here. In addition, if you are seeking a position that has particular requirements, i.e. clean driving license or the need to be mobile, it should be included in this section. Final check When you have a draft ready, carry out your own critical review of your CV, imagining you are the recipient, not the writer. Ask yourself: Does this tell me everything I need to know? Is it credible? Does each word really add value? Am I confident it gives a true reflection of my abilities, skills and competencies? Once you are happy with the CV, ask a trusted colleague to run a critical eye over it too and be prepared to make changes as a result. Remember its important that you regularly review your CV to keep it up to date. Your CV is your personal sales document Writing a covering letter It is possible that a high number of applications will be received for most positions advertised across the Group, therefore it may be worth considering putting a covering letter together to accompany your application to give you an added advantage. The aim of a covering letter is to support your CV and move it from the "possible" pile to the "must interview" pile. Try to put yourself in the position of the person sorting 30 - 50 applications Your covering letter needs to show that you have understood the nature of the job being advertised and should summarise why your application should receive serious consideration. Your covering letter should: Be addressed to the recruiting manager by name Be kept to one page only Be clear and concise and in plain English Quote the title of the job for which you are applying and any reference in full e.g YINT 28/135 Begin with a positive statement that will immediately attract the recruiter's attention, shows motivation and establishes your present status. "As an experienced people manager with a career in Business Banking, your advertisement for Senior Business Banking Manager intrigued me." Make it clear that you have read the advertisement closely and quote any research you have undertaken into the position advertised. List the reasons why you have the knowledge, skills, competencies and experience to be considered further for this job Try making a list on a blank piece of paper of the requirements of the job, and detail next to each one, your experience relevant to that requirement. This will give you a focus for your letter. You may want to consider including a paragraph for each of the competencies quoted on the advert and explain why and how you can demonstrate each of these through your achievements. Feed back key phrases from the job advertisement Show your motivation for the role (the reason you are applying) and your belief in your future progression. "The role of account manager would be a natural progression for me"

 Finish by welcoming the opportunity of discussing the position further.