12/02/2010
How long should my CV be?
Samantha Pearce is the owner of Words Worth Reading an online editorial service for Job Seekers, Students, Writers and Businesses. Words Worth Reading offer individually-tailored, comprehensive CV and application form writing and editing services. Sam is also WorkWise's CV expert. She reveals the ideal lenght for a good CV.
There are various theories about the appropriate length of a CV. In today’s extremely competitive job market a CV that is either too long or too short runs the risk of being instantly discarded by potential employers.
This brutal method of short-listing means it makes sense to ensure your CV is just the right length, to give yourself the best possible chance of success.
Best practice guidelines suggest that an entry level CV, i.e. that of a graduate or school leaver with no previous significant employment history, should cover 2 A4 pages.
However, a CV for someone with considerably more experience should cover 3 A4 pages.
CVs should always be typed, for clarity and neatness and you should use font size 12. If it is necessary to use a smaller font size to fit all of your required information in, then you should certainly not go any smaller than font size 11.
The difficulty with the CV length guidelines is that some people find it hard to fill this many pages and some people have the opposite problem and are unable to limit their CV to the desired length.
The key to combating both of these problems is to ensure that you are including the right information.
Any detail in your CV should be relevant, significant and concisely written so that you are highlighting your key skills without distracting the reader with lots of unnecessary padding.
The key elements that you should include are:
- Your personal contact details, ensuring that they are accurate and up to date
- An introductory paragraph highlighting your key skills and abilities. These skills should be supported with evidenced examples and then reiterated throughout your CV
- Your educational history, including qualifications received and places of study
- Any professional memberships including date of entry
- Your employment history listing your responsibilities and your achievements within each role. It is essential to note here that only the last 10 years of employment are expected to appear within your CV. Anything of particular significance that happened prior to the last ten years should be incorporated within your introductory paragraph.
- A line to state that references are available on request
Always check that there are no gaps in your CV. If you have taken time out from work at any stage in the last 10 years, always record this time in your CV and detail the achievements you have made during this time.
If you are struggling to produce a CV of 2 or 3 pages in length, then you can also include a statement regarding your hobbies and interests but this is not an essential element for inclusion.
If you include all of the key elements as detailed above, and write them in a concise manner, then your CV should naturally fit into 2 or 3 pages.
It is important to remember that employers will often have hundreds of CVs to view and a CV that is too long may mean the employer loses interest in what you have to say, or indeed, your key points may be lost in any additional and unnecessary text that you may have included.
On the other hand, a CV that is too short will not give a potential employer enough information to make an informed decision about you and again your chances of being called to interview will be reduced.
Stick to the rule of 2 or 3 pages depending on your experience and you’ll be certain to give yourself the best opportunity of getting your CV viewed, read and accepted by potential employers.
-ends-
Sam is WorkWise's CV expert. If you have a question for her please click here and remember you can also discuss CVs with other Jobseekers on IrishJobs.ie online forum
Sam's company Words Worth Reading offer individually-tailored, comprehensive CV and application form writing and editing services at fantastic prices, with quick turnaround times.
For more information visit http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/
You can contact the team on sam@wordsworthreading.co.uk
Call them on 00 44 1245 707580
Samantha Pearce