As a Talent Partner at THG, I see the very best and worst examples of CVs on a daily basis. Are you wondering how to make your application stand out to us? I will be taking you through the key elements that candidates should include, common mistakes, and some formatting do’s and don’ts.

When applying for any type of role, you want to make sure that your CV showcases the best of your skills, emphasises the right experience, and demonstrates that you are the right fit for the role and the business. It is important to tailor your CV to the specific job. Make sure to start with a concise and professional summary that highlights your experience and expertise in the role you are applying for. It would also be beneficial to get familiar with the business’s core values and apply them to your experience where appropriate.

As an example, Management Accountant is a key role we hire for here at THG. If you are thinking of applying for this role or a similar one, it is important to list your key skills that are most relevant. We like to see that you have clearly demonstrated experience in preparing management accounts, posting journals, variance analysis, and balance sheet reconciliations. It is also good to include your finance qualifications if you have completed them or where you are up to on your exams so that our hiring managers are aware. We have different divisions and areas where you may see a Management Accountant role become available at THG, for example in Manufacturing. If this is the case, it is important to highlight your passion for manufacturing as well as your expertise in accountancy.

Something important to bear in mind is that you don’t want to overload your CV with too much information. Try to avoid any irrelevant information that isn’t related to the job, so make sure to read through the job description properly. However, when you are talking about a skill you have used, it's good to provide specific examples of this.

Formatting Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Keep it clean and professional: same fonts, simple layout, clear headings, and bullet points.
• Try to keep to two pages, prioritising the most relevant information to the role.
• Make sure your contact details are up to date with a professional email, and include a link to your LinkedIn profile and your general location.
• Always include the dates of each role.

Don’ts

• Avoid complex designs or fonts that could distract the recruiter/hiring manager from the content.
• Proofread your CV multiple times to check for mistakes such as grammatical errors, or get someone else to read over it for you.
• Start with your most recent role at the top and work your way down.

Crafting a standout CV is the first essential step in securing your desired role. Remember, it's your first impression, so make it count!