A resume/CV is used by employers to gauge if you’re a suitable candidate for their role, but a common question we get asked is “what constitutes a ‘good’ resume/CV?”
Start with the basics
- Personal/contact information
- Always include personal details at the top of your resume/CV. Information such as, name, phone number, email address, and mailing address are essential so that employers can contact you.
- Make sure that your email address is professional and avoid using nicknames or humorous phrases that may not be appropriate in a professional context.
- Cover letter/personal statement
- Not all job applications require a cover letter or personal statement, but they do give you a chance to explain more about your interests and achievements. Important elements to include in a cover letter:
- What is your interest in the company/role?
- Relevant experience that correlates with job description
- How would the company benefit from hiring you?
- Include a professional summary. A professional summary is a brief overview of your skills and experience and can be an effective way to grab an employer’s attention. Keep it concise and focus on your key selling points.
- Not all job applications require a cover letter or personal statement, but they do give you a chance to explain more about your interests and achievements. Important elements to include in a cover letter:
Preparation/presentation
Employers only require a quick glance at your resume or CV to form an opinion on your suitability for the position. It is crucial to keep your resume/CV simple and succinct, the length will depend on the number of years of experience you have. As a benchmark, for those with 3-7 years, we’d suggest two pages.
- Font/size
- Keep it professional. We recommend using Arial or Calibri, these are the most frequently used fonts in business.
- Keep the font size between 10–12.
- Proofreading
- Proofread your resume/CV and then ask a friend or co-worker to help, a second set of eyes is helpful when proofreading.
Putting it together
Only add relevant information and avoid over-sharing. You’ll be able to expand on points during the interview stage. The resume/CV is an overview of your achievements. So, how do you arrange the information?
- Ensure that your experience and education are in descending order, starting with the most recent information.
- Always include past/current role titles, accomplishments, and dates of employment/education.
- Understand the role you’re applying for
- Tailor the information you present, different roles will require different skills. Customise your resume/CV based on the job description.
- Keep your resume/CV up to date.
- Make sure all information is accurate, including your current position.
- Whenever possible, try to quantify your achievements by including specific numbers, percentages, or statistics. For example, instead of saying “improved sales,” you could say “increased sales by 25% within the first quarter.”
- Use keywords relevant to the role that you are applying for. Many companies now use automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes/CVs for keywords related to the job description. To increase your chances of passing this initial screening, make sure to include relevant keywords throughout your resume/CV.
- If you have a gap in your timeline, employers will enquire why, so be prepared to respond.
For further advice and support on crafting your resume/CV contact us at [email protected] and one of our consultants will be in touch.
If you are looking for a new role, you can view our latest FinTech jobs here or upload your CV here.
