Writing a CV that works can be a daunting process when staring at a blank page but by following a few tried-and-tested rules and spending a little time on it can reap great rewards
Whilst there is never such thing as a “one-CV-fits-all” one key point to remember is your CV’s goal is to attract the attention of the people advertising the opportunities you seek. If you receive a lot of call backs from employers and recruiters then congrats – your CV works!
If on the other hand you think yours could do better please have a read of our top 10 CV Writing Tips which will sharpen up the focus of your CV and tell the world all about you and secure that all important interview!
Its key to watch “Keywords”
Congratulations – you are reading this online which demonstrates your understanding that a lot of recruitment happens online. This lesson is (pardon the pun) key as online databases handle CV’s in a different way to people – they search for keywords! If at this point you are scratching your head, not to worry; it simply means that computers don’t have the intelligence to sort by relevance, but scan for words that match the advert then rank accordingly:
i.e. if someone is recruiting for an Accounts Clerk with “Sage Line 50”, “Excel” and “Word” it is important, if you have these skills, to duplicate this information on your CV which will then rank higher in the recruiters results
A great tip here is to search for jobs that are suitable for you and highlight the key words the recruiter is asking for. Now if you have these skills make sure they are incorporated into your CV – simples!
It’s no novel – make it punchy
It’s an unfortunate fact that on average employers spend as little as 8 seconds reviewing a CV. For this reason yours should be no more than two pages of A4 – and that’s with a clean font no smaller than 11 type face. Remember; you want to make reviewing your CV simple and it is often the more recent experience that is of immediate interest. Rest assured if we want to know more about your past we will ask on you on interview!
We also recommend setting your CV to the standard Word template as it makes it easier for us recruiters to tailor your experience into the format we know our clients wish to review making it all the more likely for them to view.
Make it personal
Include a personal statement that explains why you are suitable for the job. A good rule of thumb is; what you’ve done in the past, what you want to do in the future and to sum up the skills that bridge the two. Often employers can be presented with all-encompassing CV’s that document every aspect; but remember the person reading yours has another 100 to go! Your personal statement should be simple and specifically answer the needs of the recruiter.
Mind the gap!
It’s a truism of human nature but when someone sees a gap on a CV it gives a pause for thought. If you have a gap in your CV try to put yourself in the recruiters’ shoes and explain this period with a positive slant. Did you do any volunteer work, training or work on any of your soft skills such as communication – if so tell us about it!
Tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything!
There’s enough pressure in an interview without having to worry about what you have claimed you can and cannot do – always stick to the truth. Lying on your CV is always weeded out sooner or later through either skills testing, referencing or the awful moment you cannot answer a question on interview and this can all be avoided by not telling lies.
Keep Current and Carry On
A CV will follow you through you work career and is an essential document to track your achievements. Hit a massive target at work or completed a project of great merit – why not quickly open you CV and note this down. When it comes to refreshing your CV on your next job hunt it makes it a lot easier to update!
Mistaeks Happen!
One of the biggest bug-bears of any recruiter or employer is spelling mistakes on a CV. With tools out there such as spell-checkers there is simply no need for errors such as these and it can be reason enough for employers to discount your CV – why consider yours when there are many more spelt correctly. Make sure to read your document thoroughly, spell check it and then get someone else to read it.
Numbers Rule
When it comes to expressions of greatness over targets exceeded etc. back these statements up with hard numbers. Whilst being careful not to reveal what could be confidential information employers prefer to see by how much a target was overachieved or what was the cost saving percentage as a result of your new process. If you sold or saved it – break into onto a % and shout about it.
The Tailored Approach
I know it’s easy – there are multiple jobs that are suitable so why not simply fire out the same old CV. Please, please, please – do not do this. You are not click-and-collecting a kettle; this could be the opportunity that shapes your life and future career for many years to come. It deserves some love and attention.
By following steps 2 and 3 this should be avoided but also try to do some research on the company and use the job advert to work out exactly the skills you need to emphasize. The effort will prove worthwhile – trust us!
Hey, good looking…
We buy with our eyes. There’s a reason big business spends billions on the look and feel of their brand – image sells. Well you brand is your CV and time should be spent on making it look good. Design a layout that is both easy on the eye with lots of white space around text and tidy with concise bullet points where appropriate. This is your chance to get creative!
For more tips and advice ask one of our experienced team to review your CV today
Uxbridge Employment Agency Named Finalist in the Hillingdon Business Awards!!We are thrilled to announce that we have been named a finalist for the Business Service Company of the Year at the Hillingdon Business Awards 2025! This recognition means the world to us, as it celebrates our commitment to providing personalised recruitment services to our local community for over 45 years.Being a family-run agency, established back in 1978, we have always believed in the power of local expertise, personalised service, and long-term relationships. Our journey has been about more than matching people with jobs—it's been about contributing to the prosperity of businesses in Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and the surrounding areas. We've always taken immense pride in building these relationships, and this nomination is a testament to all that hard work and dedication!A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Clients and CommunityThis achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our clients and the wider community. Many of you have been with us for years—some even decades—and it’s your trust and loyalty that allow us to do what we love. This recognition belongs to all of us. Thank you for being part of our story and for letting us be part of yours.As Charles Tuthill, Managing Director at Uxbridge Employment Agency, shared: "We are honoured to be recognised as a finalist in this year’s Hillingdon Business Awards. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to honesty, integrity, and the personal touch we bring to every client and candidate relationship. We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact within our community and supporting local businesses in their growth."What This Means for UsBeing recognised as a finalist is not just a proud moment, but also a motivation to continue improving and serving our community. We have faced challenges, like many other small businesses, but our investment in new technologies and creative ...
We believe in the power of great connections. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that our referral scheme has just doubled! Now, you can earn a £100 voucher for referring top talent to us. It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us find the best professionals in the area.How It WorksSpread the Word: Know a colleague or friend looking for a new opportunity? Refer them to us for any permanent role.Successful Placement: Once your referred candidate is placed and successfully completes their probationary period, you earn a £100 voucher!Easy Participation: Anyone can enter! Simply include links within our signatures, job adverts, and social media to share with your network.Why Participate?Increased Reward: With the referral bonus now at £100, there’s never been a better time to share great opportunities with your network.Support Your Friends and Colleagues: Help your connections find the perfect job while earning a reward for yourself.Contribute to Local Business Success: Your referrals help us attract and place the best talent, strengthening businesses in our community.Frequently Asked QuestionsWho can participate in the referral scheme? Anyone can participate! Whether you're a client, candidate, or simply someone who knows great talent, you can refer individuals to us.How do I make a referral? You can make a referral by sharing our job adverts, links in our email signatures, or social media posts. Make sure the candidate mentions your name when applying.When is the referral bonus payable? The £100 voucher is payable once the referred candidate successfully completes their probationary period.What type of roles are eligible? The referral scheme is applicable to permanent placements only.Join Us in Finding the Best TalentWe’re dedicated to connecting outstanding professionals with fantastic opportunities. With your help, we can continue to build a network of top talent in the area. So, start sharing, and let’s ...
In today's dynamic business environment, the value of recruitment partnerships is more crucial than ever. With digital platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and various job boards, it might appear that companies can easily find top talent on their own. However, recruitment agencies continue to be invaluable partners for companies in the UK, leveraging their skills and experience to fulfill business needs and drive future success. Let’s delve into why businesses benefit from these long-term relationships.Expertise and SpecialisationRecruitment agencies are experts in their field, bringing specialised knowledge about various industries, job functions, and hiring trends that may be beyond the scope of a typical in-house HR department. Many agencies focus on specific sectors, such as IT, finance, healthcare, or engineering, giving them a deep understanding of the particular needs and challenges within these fields. This specialisation allows them to effectively match candidates with the right skills and cultural fit for each role, ensuring a high-quality recruitment process.Access to a Larger Talent PoolOne of the most significant advantages of a recruitment partnership is access to a vast and diverse talent pool. Agencies maintain extensive databases of candidates, including those not actively seeking new roles but open to the right opportunities. These passive candidates, often overlooked by conventional hiring methods, can be valuable additions to any organisation. Recruitment agencies also have robust networks that can uncover hidden talent, increasing the likelihood of finding the ideal candidate who fits both the job requirements and the company culture.Time and Resource EfficiencyThe recruitment process can be incredibly time-consuming and resource-intensive. It involves creating job descriptions, posting vacancies, screening applications, conducting initial interviews, and managing communication with candidates. For small and medium-sized enterprises, and even large ...
IntroductionAs we bid farewell to 2023, it's the perfect time for us at Uxbridge Employment Agency to reflect on the incredible journey we've had over the past year and set our sights on the promising opportunities that await us in 2024. The year gone by has been filled with achievements, challenges, and, most importantly, the growth and success of both our candidates and clients.Celebrating SuccessOne of the highlights of the year has been witnessing the success stories of the talented individuals we've had the privilege of placing in fulfilling roles across various industries. From entry-level positions to executive roles, we've been dedicated to connecting the right people with the right opportunities. It's heartening to see the positive impact our placements have had on the professional lives of countless individuals.Adapting to Change2023 brought its share of challenges, and our team rose to the occasion, adapting to the evolving landscape of the job market. The global workforce saw significant transformations, with remote work becoming more prevalent and a heightened focus on skills development. Our commitment to staying abreast of these changes allowed us to provide valuable insights and support to both our clients and candidates.Embracing TechnologyIn our pursuit of excellence, we embraced cutting-edge technologies to streamline our processes and enhance the overall recruitment experience. Leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics, we've been able to make more informed decisions, resulting in quicker and more accurate matches between candidates and employers.Looking Ahead to 2024As we look ahead to the new year, our enthusiasm is fuelled by the endless possibilities that lie before us. We're committed to exploring and implementing innovative recruitment strategies to stay ahead of industry trends and provide even more value to our clients and candidates. We're committed to exploring and implementing innovative recruitment strategies to stay ...
