Ten tips for a winning CV

1. Know what the employer wants. Research, analyse and identify the key requirements and person specifications of the job.
2. Target your CV so that it meets these requirements and specifications. Match as directly as you can your experiences and skills with those of the position.
3. Keep the core of your CV to two pages. If you have a long list of publications (lucky you), add these and other lists such as conference presentations as an appendix.
4. Put the most important information on page 1.
   For an academic CV this will be your research experience followed by teaching, functional skills, grants, awards and other evidence of academic impact (running order dependent on the seniority and priorities of the position). You can signpost your papers and other information to the appendix. See an example CV (with related job description) here.
   For a non-academic CV create headings targeted to the post and then bullet point examples to show evidence of relevant skills and experience. See exercise below.
5. Include mandatory sections: Name, contact and discretionary personal details; Education; Employment/Research experience; Skills and capabilities.
6. Include optional sections: Awards and achievements; Memberships; Interests; Referees (say “available on request” if omitted).
7. List your education and work experience in reverse chronological order. You can rearrange the order by introducing sub-headings. Don’t go back too far in your career history or include non-relevant work experience.
8. Choose referees who will give you a favourable reference. Ideally, let them know your career plans and give them a copy of your CV.
9. Include a one-page covering letter to accompany your CV. Show commitment and enthusiasm by stating briefly your interest in the organisation or research group (refer to their business or recent publications). Highlight the most relevant and significant parts of your experience related to the post and end on a positive note: “I look forward to hearing your response”. Attached is an example of a cover letter produced in application for a non-academic role.
10. Ask a professional, colleague or friend to check your application. It’s easy to make grammatical or spelling errors which could give a bad impression to the employer, so make sure it’s word perfect.

Exercise:

Consider the types of career(s) that interest you and search for associated job vacancies or career profiles (use these weblinks to help you). Identify four key requirements of the job – these will include specialist experience and expertise, as well as competency skills such as organisational, communication, creativity, leadership and self-motivation.
Once you have your list, think of examples to show evidence of these capabilities drawn from tasks and activities associated directly or indirectly with your research experience (past and present). For example, under a heading of ‘Research skills’: “Designed and implemented a new protocol which led to the generation of novel data”; ‘Organisational skills’: “Assisted in the coordination of a collaborative project by monitoring progress and ensuring milestones were met”; ‘Management and budgeting’: “Supported my research project by applying for competitive external funding to offset the core costs, such as travel grants and discounted conference registrations”.
Your aim is to try to find 3 – 4 examples under each heading. Note that your examples are fluid and will be interchangeable between skill headings.

Sarah Blackford, SFHEA, is a certified career consultant specialising in career education and guidance for bioscience PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. You can read more about her work and latest blogs here.