{"id":4322,"date":"2016-09-23T09:30:38","date_gmt":"2016-09-23T14:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kbicblog.com\/blog\/academic-medicine\/?p=4322"},"modified":"2016-09-22T15:00:26","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T20:00:26","slug":"11-cv-factors-shouldnt-forget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kbicblog.com\/academic-medicine\/11-cv-factors-shouldnt-forget\/","title":{"rendered":"11 CV Factors You Shouldn’t Forget"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"11-cv-factors-you-shouldnt-forget\"<\/a>If time spent writing your CV is really just time\u00a0spent staring at a blank screen, you\u2019re not alone, we\u2019ve been there too.<\/p>\n

There are no two ways about it \u2013 condensing all of your\u00a0skills and experience into one\u00a0slick\u00a0document can be challenging. We aren\u2019t born knowing\u00a0how to write\u00a0a great CV, so it\u2019s up to you to find out for yourself how to get the\u00a0basics right. From font size and\u00a0format to photos and filling in the gaps, there is a certain etiquette that should rarely\u00a0be broken.\u00a0Recruiters and employers\u00a0receive constant streams of applications\u00a0\u2013\u00a0don\u2019t let a basic\u00a0mistake send\u00a0yours straight to\u00a0the bottom of the pack.<\/p>\n

Follow Kaye\/Bassman Academic Medicine\u00a0Search on Twitter<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1. How long should a CV be?<\/h2>\n

When it comes to length, try to think of your\u00a0CV as a tasty appetizer that will get\u00a0people coming back for more. It should be around 2 pages\u00a0long to\u00a0ensure that you get your message across\u00a0quickly, without dragging on like an old encyclopedia, boring\u00a0employers and recruiters.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0feel your\u00a0experience is as good as gold (and listing it all will make you a shoe-in for the job), don\u2019t worry too much about going over. Just be sure to\u00a0keep it at 3 pages or less.<\/p>\n

2. What do employers look for in a CV?<\/h2>\n

They want someone who has the\u00a0right skills and knowledge to do\u00a0the job at hand, so these need to come across in your CV. If you have the exact experience they are looking for, make sure it is clear \u2013 don\u2019t make them have to read between the lines or join the dots. Spell everything out for them. If you don\u2019t have the perfect profile for the role but know you can do it, highlight your transferable skills. It\u2019s always important to research your target roles beforehand to find out exactly what they are looking for in an applicant.<\/p>\n

3. What font should I use in my CV?<\/h2>\n

The saying \u2018keep it simple stupid\u2019 exists for a reason and is definitely a principle that applies here. Forget cursive text that makes your CV look like an excerpt from Tom Riddle\u2019s diary, and best you steer clear of Webdings altogether. Nice\u00a0symbols, though. Use a simple font that looks professional and is easy for recruiters and employers to read. Size matters too \u2013 you can\u2019t go wrong if you stick around the 10\/12pt mark.<\/p>\n

4. Should I include a photo on my CV?<\/h2>\n

Generally speaking, your best\u00a0Blue Steel needn\u2019t grace its presence on\u00a0your CV. Unless you are applying for an acting or modelling job (which would most likely specifically request photographs),\u00a0there is no need to include one\u00a0on your CV. It\u00a0will take up space that could be better used with text that demonstrates the value of hiring you. Show them how you\u2019re so much more than just a pretty face.<\/p>\n

5. Do I include all of my experience on my CV?<\/h2>\n

You should include all of your experience on your CV for transparency, but older or irrelevant\u00a0roles can be shortened down to brief summaries. All of your previous roles were NOT created equal. It is important to bring out the most relevant points and let other bits take the backseat.<\/p>\n

Like what you’re reading? Click here<\/a> for more CV tips.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

6. Should I include my date of birth on my CV?<\/h2>\n

Age is only a number, right? Employers do not make recruitment decisions based on a candidate\u2019s age, so there\u2019s no need to\u00a0include your date of birth.<\/p>\n

7. Should I hide employment gaps on my CV?<\/h2>\n

Take the guesswork out of your CV. You don\u2019t want recruiters or employers scratching their heads trying to fill the gaps themselves, so if you have long periods of unemployment you should be up front and explain them. Keep this short and sweet, after all, it\u2019s just to let them know what was keeping you occupied during that time. Ideally use\u00a0constructive reasons such as personal projects, study or travelling.<\/p>\n

8. Should I include interests on my CV?<\/h2>\n

As a general rule, only include interests if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for and will make a positive\u00a0impact on your applications. If you feel including your passions or pastimes adds to the profile you want to show your employer, put them in, but don\u2019t get too carried away. Always keep it as professional as possible.<\/p>\n

9. Do I need a cover letter?<\/h2>\n

Typing a persuasive, personalized cover letter shows you are serious about your career and the opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0It should paint a clear picture of who you are and what you are looking for, and why you want to engage in further conversation.<\/p>\n

10. Should I include references in my CV?<\/h2>\n

Employers won\u2019t contact references until they have intentions of\u00a0potentially offering you the job. You don\u2019t need to list them on your CV, instead a\u00a0one-liner like \u2018references available upon request\u2019 will do the trick.<\/p>\n

11. What if I have no experience?<\/h2>\n

Everyone has to start somewhere, so no need to worry if this sounds like you. This is where you need to bring out everything you have<\/em> done, that will\u00a0set you up for success in the working world. Think training, education, high school pursuits, extra projects, charity or volunteer work, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If time spent writing your CV is really just time\u00a0spent staring at a blank screen, you\u2019re not alone, we\u2019ve been there too. There are no two ways about it \u2013 condensing all of your\u00a0skills and experience into one\u00a0slick\u00a0document can be challenging. We aren\u2019t born knowing\u00a0how to write\u00a0a great CV, so …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":4323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[851,575,916],"tags":[917,537,578,185,847,85],"class_list":["post-4322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-resources","category-career-search-solutions","category-cv-tips","tag-11-cv-factors-you-shouldnt-forget","tag-academic-medicine-blog","tag-candidate-resources","tag-career-advice","tag-cv-tips","tag-kbic","column","threecol","has-thumbnail"],"yoast_head":"\nGet Hired With These 11 CV Factors That You Shouldn't Forget<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We aren't born knowing how to write a great CV, so it's up to you to beat the competition with these 11 CV factors that you shouldn't forget.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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