Writing a targeted CV

To produce a Targeted CV you will need to decide which attributes and achievements will be appropriate for the job you are applying for.

When you write a CV in a targeted style, as well as including past experiences you can also include future related skills that you may not have had actual work experience in.

For example, if you have recently undertaken a course you can include any activities you performed whilst on the course.

In a targeted CV, you first described your capabilities and achievements in separate sections. You then include your work history and educational history. Try and keep a Targeted CV on one page. You may have to prepare a Targeted CV for each individual job you are targeting.

As a CV writing service ourselves, we don't typically recommend a targeted CV, as employers are not in favour of this type of CV - they typically prefer a more conventional CV, such as a chronological or performance CV.

Achievements

As a specialist professional CV writing company Bradley CVs recommends that you pick achievements for this section that focus on the jobs that you are applying for.

When you are applying for a specific job, you may need to rewrite this section or change / replace the achievements you originally picked, so the CV matches the job vacancy as closely as possible.

Capabilities

The Capabilities section focusses on your skills and strengths that are relevant to the positions that you are going to be applying for. You should bullet point each sentence, as these are much easier to read quickly than long paragraphs.

Again, like the Achievements section, you may need to replace or change the skills that you have listed, when you actually come to apply for a specific job vacancy.

Education / Qualifications / Training

Only list the most important qualifications. If you are a graduate you do not really need to list your 'O' Levels/GCSEs, just indicate the number of 'O' levels gained. Unless you have just completed a degree or MBA, this section should go after work experience.

In the case of recently completed education, if your work experience is more likely to be of interest to an employer, you should still put work experience first. You could perhaps mention your recent qualifications in your profile or in your cover letter.

Do you want a powerful CV? A CV writer at Bradley CVs can create an individual and imaginative CV for you that will entice an employer to invite you to those vital job interviews.