Crafting the Perfect CV: Essential Tips for Business English Learners

Having a well-written CV can mean all the difference between getting your dream job in your chosen career or struggling to find a suitable position. A CV is the first thing an employer sees about you so it is essential you get it right. It can be especially important if you are moving countries and you are relying on securing a job for visa purposes. There can be some common challenges for British learners to write a CV such as, using correct grammar, using the appropriate headings for each section or including the correct information. Below is a guide providing you with the essential tips for you to nail your CV.

Understanding the Purpose of a CV

A CV is a document you provide to employers when applying for a job, detailing your professional and inter-personal skills, education and personal information. The employer will see your CV before they meet you or even speak to you so it is crucial your CV showcases your best qualities.

In the UK, a CV and a resume are the same thing, although CV is more commonly used. In the USA, resume would be more common.

A CV is usually no more than 2 pages of A4 and details your main important information which every CV should include:

• Contact details (name, address, phone number, email address etc.)

• Personal Information

• Work experience

• Qualifications

Essential Business English Tips for Writing a CV

Writing a CV with appropriate language is key, here are some essential tips to help you:

Use professional and clear language - Be clear, meaning avoid any slang and unnecessary jargon. Try to use industry vocabulary where appropriate.

Keep it concise - You need to keep your CV to a maximum of 2 A4 pages which means you need to keep your information direct and concise. Use bullet points and action verbs to explain your work responsibilities and skills.

Highlight achievements as a priority - Your main duties are important to list, however what's more important is your new employer to see what you have achieved so far in your career. Try to use any data or results where possible.

Be careful with grammar and spelling - Make sure you proofread your CV before sending to any job advert. Having correct grammar and spelling is important as it shows competence, accurateness and good use of English. Proofreading will help to avoid common mistakes, you can use Grammarly to check sections of your CV or spellcheck tools on your document.

Key Sections of a Business CV

Have a look at the sections to include in your CV:

• Personal Information – Include your Name, contact details (phone number, email address), and LinkedIn (if applicable).

• Professional Summary – A short, impactful statement about your skills and previous experience.

• Work Experience – Use action verbs and include any results you can show with data or numbers. Always include your most recent work along with previous years, if you have gaps, ensure you can explain what you did in your gap of employment.

• Education and Qualifications – List all relevant qualifications, CPD and education including degrees or high level certifications.

• Skills Section – Include all skills relevant to business roles, include skills related to your specific job application as well as relevant interpersonal skills related to the job role.

• Additional Sections – Include any other relevant volunteer work, languages, or industry-specific extras which will help to showcase your qualities and skills for the job.

• References - Include at least 2 recent references who employers can contact. If you don't want to name specific references on your CV, you can put 'references available on request'. When employers ask for these references, you can provide names and contact details.

Formatting and Design Tips

Your CV needs to look clear and clean so choose a very simple but professional layout that includes clear headings for each section. Ensure that you keep your sections consistent with each other, for example, all headings/paragraphs etc, have the same font size and style. This will also help make your CV look professional, easy to read and organised. Some companies may have chosen to use ATS (applicant tracking system). An ATS is a system used to filter through candidates to find the right applicant. The system will use keywords or phrases to sift through who the employers want to contact regarding the application. For this reason, it is important to include any specific industry-related words within your CV.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some quick tips to avoid:

• Don't overload with too much information - Keep your information concise. If you struggle with this, use bullet points to highlight information quickly. Don't waffle on.

• Don't use vague or cliché phrases - use industry-related keywords instead, words related to the tasks or responsibilities included in the job role that could be picked up by the ATS.

• Not tailoring the CV to the job description - within the job advert a job description will be included to let you know what would be expected of you in the role, make sure you relate your CV to this description. For example, in your professional summary or work experience sections, talk briefly about any related tasks you currently do or results you have achieved previously.

Final Checklist Before Submitting Your CV

Once you have finished writing your CV, it is crucial to check it before submitting it. First, proofread, check spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Use software such as Grammarly and spellcheck to help you. Secondly, make sure you have specific keywords for the job and you have customised your personal summary or work section to relate to the job description you are applying for. Lastly, save your document as a word document and a PDF. These are the most common types of formats you will be asked to produce so saving them beforehand can save you time.

Writing a CV is your first step to getting on the career ladder. Use these tips to assist you in your writing and if you need extra help or feedback, consider the assistance of an Ace English tutor. Have a look at our other Business English blogs to further your English skills.

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