Top tips for writing a winning CV

Whether you’re thinking of applying for your first role or continue your career in tourism, leisure and hospitality – making sure your CV stands out from the crowd is key if you want to join the best employers, regardless of the position you’re applying for!

1. Shout about yourself

Your CV is the first tool at your disposal to market yourself to employers, and help you get to that all-important interview stage. You’ll want to make sure your CV is well presented and clearly structured with section headers, highlighting your best qualities in a clear and concise way. There isn’t a specific recipe for success but focus on a clean and tidy format with the most up to date and relevant information near the beginning.

2. What should be on your CV?

Generally, your personal details should be on the header of your CV, making it as easy as possible for the employer to get in touch with you. So, remember to include your most up to date name, telephone number, address and email address.

Under your personal details you can begin listing your employment history, starting with your most recent employment, and working backwards. Give thought about the job you are applying for and the skills and knowledge required, as you can link this to your work history, providing insight into the relevant experience you’ve gained.

Following your personal achievements, this flows nicely into listing your education and qualification history. List your education, starting at the most recent, including full title of the qualification, place of study and results gained. Don’t forget to add any specific modules or projects of relevance.

3. Interest & Hobbies

Hiring Managers are keen to learn about your hobbies and interest to find out more about the type of person you are. It should be kept short and to the point, but can include any extracurricular activities you enjoy, whether that’s a midweek yoga session, going to the cinema, channelling your inner Mary Berry, or playing Sunday League football. The tourism, leisure and hospitality sector is built on providing superb service, which all comes down to good communication, teamwork and enthusiasm amongst many other things.

4. References – what to include

At the end of your CV, you may want to include the contact details of your references. However, unless they have been specifically requested, you do not need to include these. A simple ‘references available on request’ should suffice to close.

5. Proofread, check, and check again!

When you think you have finished with your CV and/or application form, and you have read it so many times that you can recite it off by heart and backwards whilst balancing on your head, make sure you ask somebody else to read it for you as they will help uncover any errors or highlight areas to improve.

One final point to remember is that your CV or application form is likely to be the framework for any interview you may attend. Be prepared to answer any questions or elaborate on any information provided, so be comfortable with your application before submitting it. Make sure the contents are honest and accurate.

So, if you’re ready to start applying for jobs at some of the UK’s most popular tourism, leisure and hospitality-based jobs, then don’t hesitate and click here to view the very latest opportunities!

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