“We see a lot of CVs. Some are excellent; others do not reflect the candidate’s experience quite as well.”
First impressions matter, so your CV needs to make a strong one. Read on to discover how to strengthen yours.
1. Put your most recent experience first
It may feel counterintuitive to work backwards, but we strongly recommend it. Your most recent experience matters most, so make sure an employer sees it at a glance.
2. Include only relevant information
An IT professional’s CV can be long. Even so, we recommend leaving out irrelevant or very old work experience. It can distract from the strengths you want to highlight.
3. Choose a clear, simple layout
Do not make your CV too complex or rely on creative flourishes. Use a clear layout with one or, at most, two colours. Avoid mixing horizontal and vertical text blocks. Keep the style simple.
4. Do not make your CV too short
An IT CV typically runs to three or four pages, sometimes more. Share your successes and include useful detail about your projects and the technologies you have worked with. Unlike in some other sectors, a longer CV can be appropriate in IT because employers need enough detail to assess experience with complex projects.
5. Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date
LinkedIn has become a reference point in the IT sector. Many companies will look at your profile after receiving your CV. Make sure your experience is consistent across both, and that your photograph is recent and professional.
