By Rutherford Cross, ICAS CA Jobs Partner

Whenever you are considering a potential career move, the first step is to write or update your CV. This can initially seem like a daunting task, so Recruitment Consultant Harry Young has pulled together some best-practice guidance for writing your CV, as well as some interview techniques to guide you through the full career move process.

CV Writing Guidance

The first thing to remember is that a CV is a tool: a tool that you use to open the door to an interview. It is essentially a document you use to sell your experience and character as efficiently as possible in relation to the business and position you are applying for.

How long should my CV be?

Your CV doesn’t need to be War and Peace; two or three pages is all that is necessary, provided you are being concise and accurate with the content. The more experienced you are, the more content you will have to add. However, if you are earlier in your career—for example, applying for graduate schemes or looking for industry roles after a training contract—two pages should absolutely suffice.

CV must-haves

  • Recruiters will look at where you’re based to ensure you are within easy commuting distance of the role you have applied for. If you’re looking to relocate, make sure that this is stated clearly next to your current address.
  • Include your contact information. It sounds obvious, but it is important to make it as easy as possible for people to contact you, so have your contact information in bold at the top.
  • If you have a LinkedIn profile, add a link beside your contact details. This is another avenue of contact for anyone potentially interested in your profile and will allow them to connect with you online, adding them to your network for future opportunities.

CV structure

In terms of structure, I would always advise leading at the top with your name, contact information and qualifications or education in a very clear format. One big thing to avoid is using complex CV layouts. A Microsoft Word document or PDF, using a 10–12 point regularly used font such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman, will work well.

After this, you should have your personal statement. This should only be a few lines covering all essential information about your career, qualifications and experience. A well-written personal statement will encourage the reader to keep reading, so it is important to get this right.

Following your personal statement, it’s time to write about your career history. Always start with your most recent position, working backwards from there. Your role may be broad, so it is important to tailor this section to the specific role you are applying for. For example, if you have had any work experience, part-time jobs or internships, make sure to highlight the relevant aspects of your role in more detail.

You should have a bullet-point list covering all the responsibilities in your role, but also make sure to highlight any achievements and ad-hoc work you have undertaken.

Once you have written your contact information, education, qualifications, personal statement and experience in this format, I would suggest having two additional small sections:

  1. Cover specific systems knowledge you may have, with examples of systems you have previously used, as well as your IT proficiency, such as your Word and Excel level.
  2. Include a section covering your hobbies, interests and personal achievements, as well as any fundraising activities or teams and groups you are part of. This provides social proof and may allow the reader to find some common ground with you.

Should you tailor your CV for every role?

You should tailor your CV for every single role you are applying for, particularly as you progress in your career. It is important to draw out specific relevant experience that highlights why you are the right candidate for the position.

As a graduate or school leaver, it is crucial to highlight the relevant education and exams for the position. If you are applying for a training contract, you should make reference to any exemptions you may have from your education.

You should also tailor a line in the personal statement at the top of your CV, mentioning the type of role you are looking for. This should align with your application for that role.

Once you have pulled together a CV, always spell-check it. Before you send it out, return to it a few hours after writing it and reread it with fresh eyes. This will help improve its readability and make it clearer and more concise.

After curating the perfect CV, you can start to prepare for the interview stage.

How to Prepare for an Interview

Interviews can be very nerve-wracking situations. You are not only required to tell a stranger about your knowledge and why you think you are the best candidate for the role; the interview could also mean the difference between securing a move in your career and remaining where you are.

Dress to impress

It is important to present yourself in the best light possible when making a first impression, as this helps get the conversation off on the right foot. It is worth looking at the company’s website and social media to get a feel for appropriate attire.

Do your research

It is essential to research the company you are interviewing with beforehand so that you understand the type of business it is and the activities it undertakes.

Making a first impression

When you arrive, the first person you meet might not be the person interviewing you. Once you enter the building, there are a variety of stakeholders who could contribute to the decision-making process. It is therefore important to be respectful and approachable to everyone you meet.

Eye contact is key. Try to maintain eye contact as much as possible throughout the process. If there are multiple interviewers, divide your attention equally among everyone as best you can.

For virtual interviews, choose a well-lit location with a static background and minimal background noise. This helps the interviewer by reducing potential distractions. It is also worth testing your camera, microphone and internet connection before the interview so that you can have peace of mind that no unexpected technical problems will arise.

Showcasing your experience

Interviewers will often ask you to provide examples across a number of scenarios designed to get you thinking and showcase your experience. For example, you may be asked: “Tell me about a time when you had to complete a set of accounts within a tight deadline,” or: “Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult client in a previous role.”

The STAR interview technique is a useful way to break down your answer and provide a well-rounded response:

  • Situation: Briefly describe the scenario you were in.
  • Task: Explain the task you needed to perform and why you needed to do it.
  • Action: Outline how you responded to the task and the actions you took.
  • Result: Explain what happened as a result of the action you took.

Using the STAR interview technique enables you to keep your answers concise and to the point, ensuring that the interviewers gain a clear understanding of your experience.

Questions

Most interviewers will ask whether you have any questions at the end of the interview. This is your chance to gain greater insight into the business culture and the role. It can also provide an opportunity to build rapport with the interviewers and develop more of a two-way conversation.

Avoid asking about anything already clearly stated in the job description or asking about salary, as this should already have been covered by your recruitment consultant.

If you have applied for a role through Rutherford Cross, call your consultant after the interview to debrief, discuss how you thought it went and ask any questions on which you would like further information. This also gives you the chance to mention anything you feel did not go as planned or that you wish you could change, as we can sometimes address this on your behalf.

Conclusion

As recruitment consultants, we want to help you do the best you possibly can and make a successful move in your career. If you are considering your next career opportunity within accounting and finance, email enquiries@rutherfordcross.com for a confidential discussion with one of our consultants.

This blog is one of a series of articles from our commercial partners. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of ICAS.