Guide to Writing a Winning Graduate CV

Whether you're fresh out of university, have under a year left of studies, or have some experience under your belt and need to catalyse your job search, your CV is the gateway to landing that dream job.

This article aims to guide recent graduates on how to craft a highly effective CV for the current jobseeker marketplace - and that includes for ATS (CV scanning software) as well as humans - who, contrary to common belief, do still read CVs!

It will cover the essential sections and content to include, how to tailor the CV for different job applications, and practical tips for standing out in a competitive job market. By following these guidelines, graduate job seekers can create an optimised CV, enhance their online presence and establish themselves as credible professionals.

Let's Start With Page Numbers

Whether your Graduate CV is 1 or 2 pages depends on if you have much impressive and/or relevant experience you'd like the employer to know. Many Winning CVs Graduate clients surprisingly have enough relevant information to fill 2 pages, and many only the 1 page.

• The expected number at this early stage is, of course, 1 - but both are perfectly acceptable.
• UK expectations are 2 pages when there is 3/4/5 years' or more relevant experience.
• Do put page numbers in and if it's 2 pages then put name, tel. and email in the footer.

ATS / CV Scanning Software - Essential To Tailor your Graduate CV for Different Roles!

Many people are still unaware that the recruitment world has adopted technology in the form of ATS / CV scanning software. It is reported that up to a third of companies and recruiters use it (especially large organisations) to scan through hundreds of CVs for the best candidates, and this can present issues for the jobseeker.

• A point often overlooked is that each company programmes ATS to look for different keywords in CVs - making it ever more important to find the time and tailor the CV for each role, if possible. It does help enormously if graduate candidates are fully aware of the keywords and skills that recruiters are looking for, so research keywords online.
• Did you know? ATS gives more points for keywords being on page one, and being within roles, in sentences and for the longer time period the better - so bear this in mind!
• ATS loves content - but only the right content. Try to populate your CV with the right keywords (that you've researched). However, because humans still read CVs (promise!) it is important that you don't explicitly or covertly cover your CV with these keywords just to get past the bots. It's about trying to find the right balance.
• Do not use tables, text boxes, columns or pictures, and don't send your CV off in PDF form unless the application asks for it. This is because ATS can struggle to parse (or read) them.

Trustworthy Candidate vs Dishonest Candidate

It's important to remember that, however much you feel you don't meet the job spec, it's far better to be honest - because recruiters do not want to hire someone they can't trust.

• Just this week I wrote a CV for someone that had zero paid experience in a field she wanted to go into. So, she spun the relevant course she attended into a position by including it in her career section and calling it an 'Apprenticeship'. This was incorrect because an apprenticeship is paid.
• I could tell instantly that there was something not right, and I knew that an employer would too.
• Unfortunately, the training provider had encouraged her to present it in this way.
• Although I understood, I transformed her CV to focus on what she DID have, and maximised this, being transparent and ethical. I am sure that with her in-depth training and committed mindset that I have showcased, she will find a role that is in alignment with her goals.

Maximise Relevant Information

One of the most important points to mention when writing all CVs is to maximise the positioning and volume of relevant information, while relegating and reducing the not-so-relevant. It is no different with a Graduate CV and the trick is to virtually pounce on all relevant points and transferable skills, maximise their potential for impact, and position them as high up the page as possible.

• And that includes your education - if your education is more relevant / transferable than any role, put it before your roles section - and include relevant degree module titles. This is ideal for both CV scanning software (ATS) and humans - who are far more likely to visualise you in their role if the CV content speaks their language.
• Transferable Content: If you do the above well, employers will see that whilst you may not have much experience, you make up for it in terms of aptitude; traits such as ambition, leadership and teamwork; experience such as your degree and non-related roles (that usually have relevant aspects); and an optimised skillset.

Format / Sections

So - what does an ideal UK graduate CV format look like? What sections should you have in your UK CV For Graduate?

1. Name and contact details at the top. Just Name, Town, Number and Email. No Date of Birth, No Country of Birth or Nationality, and no Marital Status.
2. Strategic Title also at the top - what is the job you're going for? Can you make that title similar / the same? That is advised in general.
3. An impactful introductory paragraph or 'Professional Profile' detailing what/who you are and then selling yourself in the best way you can. With experienced candidates this is almost easy for a professional CV Writer, but it is quite different with graduates. We need to draw on and maximise (as mentioned previously) relevant experience (in university for example), transferable skills from other jobs, and the relevant / ideal aptitudes and mindset.
4. Key Skills section. Winning CVs takes up little space with this (3-5 lines), using key words and phrases separated with little bullet points. It takes an expert in CV writing or within the specific field to know these strong keywords, so try to research as much as possible.
5. If a two-page CV then include a Key Experience / Focal Point section. *This is key to Winning CVs' success and in a sense is 'Mama's Secret Recipe'!! If you want to know more, call Becky on the number below. If you just have one page, miss this off.
6. Career History. Optimise your existing experience by highlighting transferable aspects and achievements - if it shows the reader that you are an achiever, why hide it just because it's not 100% relevant to the career you seek? Set the scope and scale for context then introduce bullets for ease of reading. If there is no career history, then miss this section off.
7. Education. Arguably the most important part of a CV for a Graduate - include key modules and final project - as long as these are relevant to the desired position. Place this section above the Career History if more recent/relevant. Do include degree marks at 2:1 and above.
8. As a rule, do include academic awards, extracurricular recognitions and voluntary work, especially in a Graduate CV.
9. Hobbies / Interests? Only if there's room and especially if they highlight team / leadership / relevant skills.
10. References? Again, only if there's room, say 'Excellent References Available on Request'.

It's important to remember that employers won't expect graduates to have much relevant experience - so you are all starting off on a similar playing field. Whilst that's great, it means that it's exceptionally important that your CV is head and shoulders above the rest.

If you want a professional CV writer with extensive experience writing at all levels and for all industries / sectors, to write your CV, don't hesitate to contact Becky on 07928 525 882 or at becky@winningcvs.com. The service includes full consultation to bring out both relevance and what makes you unique, as well as a comprehensive changes call if required. Alternatively, if you'd like a brief CV review (with no obligation to buy), also contact Becky who will give you independent advice.