| Here are just 10 top CV writing tips to help you find | | | | knowledgeable about online programmes. Ensure you |
| a new Accountancy Job... | | | | mention other very specific accounting skills that are |
| Keep it Simple | | | | important to the job. |
| A CV is your first and possibly only chance of | | | | Education |
| securing an interview in an new accountancy role. It is | | | | Give equal attention to achievements while at |
| therefore vitally important that it works for you and | | | | University - but not if you have been in the job |
| not against you. Use it to draw attention to your | | | | market for more than two years. Captain of the |
| strengths, achievements and accountancy skills. | | | | debating team, student union rep, set designer for |
| Lead with Achievements | | | | the university play all show you to be enthusiastic, a |
| Make frequent use of active verbs, such as, | | | | self-starter and full of initiative. |
| achieved, set up, managed, responsible for, led. Don't | | | | Don't Overcrowd Your CV |
| use bullet points to describe jobs, prose is easier to | | | | Don't feel you need to keep your CV to one page. If |
| read and you can be more descriptive. Show what | | | | it's three pages then that is better than it all being on |
| accounting tasks you have been involved in and | | | | top of each other, as long as the content and layout |
| where you have achieved the most. | | | | is appropriate. If your potential employer has to work |
| Work Reverse Chronologically | | | | hard to read your CV, they will quickly lose interest. |
| Start with your current employment, and work back, | | | | Spelling |
| remembering to include the name of your employer, | | | | No employer will want to hire someone who can't be |
| start and end dates, your job title and a brief | | | | bothered to check their own work and typos and |
| description, plus your accomplishments. If you are | | | | grammatical errors mean your CV goes straight in |
| looking for your first job, list any relevant | | | | the bin. Don't rely on the spell check to pick up any |
| accountancy work experience first, paid or unpaid. | | | | mistakes, read it over thoroughly. |
| Be Honest | | | | Two Pairs of Eyes |
| Lying on your CV is a waste of your time as well as | | | | Ask someone else to proof read your CV for you, |
| for your prospective employer. Adding six months to | | | | as a fresh eye is useful to spot mistakes or offer |
| your time in a job can seem like a good idea, but if | | | | suggestions. Once you've read your CV three or four |
| you are caught out you will have lost the job for | | | | times, it's difficult to stand back and look at it |
| sure. But don't sell yourself short. If you think the | | | | objectively. Never try and finish your CV in one |
| three summers you spent working for a local | | | | sitting, always go back to it after a couple of days. |
| accountant learning about their practices and | | | | References |
| procedures is important, you should say so. | | | | Check with referees before you use their names. |
| Specific Skills | | | | There's nothing worse than using someone who has |
| It could be a good idea to list all IT software | | | | either moved on or holds a grudge against you. The |
| packages that you can use to perform your | | | | best people to use for references are your current |
| accountancy job and show how familiar you are with | | | | employer or a professor or teacher at your college |
| these. It could be impressive that you are | | | | university. |