Useful tips and suggestions

Getting the job you want is all about preparation, presentation and a positive attitude. WorkForce is committed to helping you at every stage of the recruitment process.

How to write a winning CV & Cover Letter

Your CV is your personal selling tool. It must present your information quickly, clearly, and in a way that makes your experience relevant to the position you want.

Prepare a winning CV:

Presentation

  • The final look and feel of your CV is a personal preference, but presentation should be concise and neat
  • Never hand-write a CV – it should always be typed
  • It must be easy to read and visually appealing
  • Use fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial
  • Use good quality, plain paper

Structure

Your CV should be no more than 2 pages long and include the following sections:

  • Personal Details
  • Qualifications and Education
  • Key Skills / Strengths
  • Detailed Employment History
  • Hobbies & Interests
  • Referees

Content

  • Customise your CV for each job by focusing on previous experience or skills that are relevant to the advertised role
  • Use clear, and concise language
  • Make sure it is well presented and easy to read - use bullet points where possible
  • Include your address, telephone number and email
  • Ensure the information is current and up to date
  • Present your employment history in reverse chronological order - with your current employment first. Always include the dates
  • When listing your employment history, include responsibilities, achievements and results for each position
  • Honesty is the best policy. Don’t exaggerate your experience as you may be asked more detailed questions at the interview
  • Always send a covering letter with the CV, highlighting your relevance to the role
  • Check for spelling or grammatical errors and always proof read your CV before you submit your application

Covering Letters

A well-written covering letter can help you to make a strong first impression with a potential employer. It is the perfect opportunity to summarise your qualifications and experience and illustrate information that is specific to the role you are applying for.

Create a perfect cover letter:

  • Be concise. Keep your covering letter to one page and your introduction brief
  • Address the letter to the relevant contact listed in the advertisement
  • Refer to the advertised job title, reference number and where and when you saw the advertisement
  • Write your covering note in the first person
  • Outline the reason for your interest in the role/company application and explain why your skills and experience are relevant to the advertised role
  • Customise your covering letter for each position
  • Demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic attitude to work
  • Always ensure that you spell check and then proof read your covering letter thoroughly before submission