How Good is Your CV?

Have you got everything you need on your CV? If you aren’t sure if your CV has everything an employer would want to see then use our simple checklist. Answer yes or no to each question where Yes = 1 and No = 0. Add up your score and see how your CV is doing.

CV Heading
  • CV is titled with your name in a clear highlighted font that is easy to read?
Yes
No
Personal Details
  • Address and telephone numbers easy to find?
Yes
No
  • Professional sounding email address that you check regularly?
Yes
No
Personal Profile
(Not really essential, but if included):
  • Is it no longer than 3 sentences?
Yes
No
  • Is it a short, punchy statement highlighting your
    current situation and outlining your future career
    plans?
Yes
No
Education
  • Start and end dates given for each educational institution?
Yes
No
  • Name of each institution attended?
Yes
No
  • Indication of actual or expected degree?
Yes
No
Work Experience
  • Details start with your most recent experience and
    work back?
Yes
No
  • Start and end dates given?
Yes
No
  • Name of the company/organisation?
Yes
No
  • Nature of company/organisation business?
Yes
No
  • Job Title?
Yes
No
  • Brief summary of your main duties and responsibilities?
Yes
No
Skills Profile
  • Skills profile included?
Yes
No
  • You have demonstrated with brief examples of how these skills were used in a work context?
Yes
No
  • Skills you have highlighted match those skills stated in the job description?
Yes
No
Interests
  • Focus on interests that demonstrate most the skills
    and abilities required by the job?
Yes
No
References
  • Referee’s name?
Yes
No
  • Referee’s job title?
Yes
No
  • Contact address?
Yes
No
  • Contact telephone number?
Yes
No
  • Referees have agreed to provide references for this
    application?
Yes
No
CV Appearance
  • The CV is no more than 2 pages long?
Yes
No
  • The CV is word-processed?
Yes
No
  • You have used quality white or neutral paper?
Yes
No
  • You have used a neutral web-safe font like Arial?
Yes
No
  • You have supported statements with specific examples wherever possible?
Yes
No
  • You have used phrases throughout that indicate your enthusiasm for the job?
Yes
No
  • Someone has proof read your CV for spelling and grammatical errors.
Yes
No


Your Score

So how did you do?

25 – 30 Your CV is in pretty good shape. We would recommend you get your CV assessed by a CV writer who will be able to recommend enhancements that will take your CV to the next level.
15 – 24 Your CV needs refining. You have the basics in place, which is a great start, now you need to make your CV work more effectively for you.
0 – 14 You scored lower than 15 meaning that your CV is in poor shape and not up to the standard that an employer would expect to receive. Your CV will be failing you in job applications and we recommend that you contact one of our CV writers immediately.