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