How to consolidate your professional reputation: Part 4

Susan Pierotti, Creative text Solutions Continuing the series on writing skills to make your professional profile more attractive, we will look at CV formatting in this blog. This is where text crosses over into design. Try looking at some sample CVs from a distance. How cluttered do they look? Is the colour scheme coordinated? Are the headings and fonts consistent? Your CV is part of your personal branding This is a part of your personal branding. A CV isn’t just a list of achievements but a document that introduces you before the HR person, the interview panel and your prospective employer have ever met you. Think of it as selling a house and not being around when potential buyers come through your home. Everything in that home will represent you: your tastes, your memories, your personality. Even though the buyer has never met you, they will probably have a pretty good idea of who you are before they leave. By cleaning the house and leaving it tidy, you persuade the buyer to make a purchase. In the same way, the presentation of your CV can leave a good impression. 4 style tips you can apply to your CV [caption id="attachment_237" align="alignright" width="115"] White space is important on your CV[/caption]   1 White Space Most CVs have at least a half-inch margin, but a full inch is preferable. If your margins are smaller, you risk losing content if the document is photocopied. Also, a CV that lacks a one-inch margin may look cluttered or chaotic, two qualities that are not often sought by employers. Also, write paragraphs of not more than two or three sentences. Tip: when you think you’ve finished writing your CV, put it on the floor and look at it through half-closed eyes. Look for a balance between the text and blank spaces. 2 Keep to Essentials Your CV should be clear and concise. For example, as most people applying for jobs know how to use Microsoft Office programs, don’t put ‘Fluent in Microsoft Office’ on your CV unless you have skills that set you apart. 3 Delete references to references There’s also no need to list ‘references available upon request’. If employers want to check your references, they will ask for them. Far better to have your LinkedIn, social media presence and website up-to-date and professional in content as these will be the first things prospective employers will check out. 4 (Lack of) length is everything [caption id="attachment_238" align="alignleft" width="150"]  Navy recruiters - don't waste their time![/caption] Most CVs are one to two pages, with the most important facts at the top of page one. Most recruiters and HR people are stretched for time, so if you can present  your job history and achievements in one page, they will thank you for not wasting their time and appreciate your skill in being concise but informative - something  every employer is looking for. However, if you have more than 20 years of experience and/or a number of academic or professional publications, your resume may be expected to be longer. But  keep in mind that a longer CV doesn’t equal more review time by the recruiter or interviewer.  Get your CV reviewed It’s advisable to have someone check over anything that you write in a business context. A writing professional is trained to scrutinise not only the words but how they are presented. Creative Text Solutions is a writing business for all your writing needs. My job is to make you sound great! Please contact me at info@creativetext.com.au for further information.