The employment history section of your CV serves as a roadmap of your career journey, highlighting your experience, skills, and professional growth. But how do you construct this section effectively and why is it so important? Your employment history isn't just a list of past jobs. It's a story of your professional development, achievements, and potential. It provides employers with a glimpse into your career trajectory, skill set, and suitability for the role in question. It needs to create an impact that sets you apart in the eyes of potential employers.
According to a recent study, 60% of recruiters in the UK consider a well-structured employment history to be more important than qualifications. With that in mind, the effort you put into crafting this section could significantly enhance your chances of landing an interview! Here are some helpful starting points and tips when putting together your employment history:
So, what should you include? Start with your job title, the company's name, and the dates of your employment. Then, instead of merely listing job responsibilities, focus on tangible achievements and skills you gained. Did you lead a successful project? Increase sales? Develop a new process? Remember, potential employers aren't just interested in what you did, but how well you did it.
To make your CV stand out, quantify your achievements wherever possible. For example, increased sales by 20% is more impactful than responsible for sales improvement. Numbers provide a concrete context that can help potential employers understand the scope and impact of your work. When writing your employment history, remember to tailor it to each job application. Highlight the experience and achievements that are most relevant to the role you're applying for. This shows employers that you've carefully considered how your skills and experience align with their needs.
Your employment history must be in the correct order, with your latest (or current) position being at the very top, with your first job ever being at the very bottom. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of experience, as this can soon be expanded with other details, ideas of which can be found another blog, applying with limited job experience. If you have had a lot of work over the years, then it might be worth considering grouping some of that experience together, or even prioritising, if it’s not at all relevant to the job you are currently applying for.
Remember that a CV is a formal document that will be passed around an office, and will likely be the deciding factor on whether to invite you in for training, or even an interview. It’s crucial to be respectful of any potential employer as well as previous employers. If you’re struggling with this, you can always visit us in person, and a member of our team will be happy to read it over for you and suggest any alterations. Break down your experience into a professional context. Don’t just say you were a waitress. Say that you’re coordinated, a team player, a multitasker. Break down what the job actually entailed and explain that alongside the job title.
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