When it comes to reading a CV, it’s all about first impressions.
“The idea of a CV is that you have to capture the reader’s interest on the first page,” said Gareth Bennett, Freehills director of people and development. Bennett says that a 30-page CV, while lengthy, is fine so long as reader’s interest is captured on that first page. “[In a CV] you’ve got to give a picture of yourself that is clearly accurate and clearly honest to show what it is that you’re all about,” he said.
For employers, CVs act as an initial assessment of the job seeker’s capabilities. By presenting their skills and expertise in a logical and succinct way, job seekers can use their CV to tell potential firms and employers what type of person and lawyer they are, and what type of work they are looking for.
Middleton’s recruitment head, Tracey McDonald, told ALB that it’s essential for job seekers to be clear about their capabilities and areas of interest on their CVs. “[Job seekers should] present their capabilities, what [they’re] looking for and the areas that [they’re] potentially interested in,” she said.
While presenting past and present experiences as well as summarising the skills and qualities gained from studies and other work experience will help build the character of the job seeker, McDonald says it’s essential to keep the CV short. “Don’t make it too lengthy. Keep it succinct – summary of skills, experience and achievements,” she said.
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