Hi Paul,
I'm an accountancy recruiter. London based though, so may not be able to help directly. This is the CV advice / template I give people if they want my input.
2 definites though;
1. No lies
2. Use quantified achievements (see below) wherever possible.
FIRSTNAME SURNAME
X Any Street, Anytown, Postcode etc
Tel (home) xxxx xxxxxx, Tel (mobile) xxxx xxx xxx, email
xxx.xxx@xxxxx.comA (JOB TITLE) with a strong record of achieving xxxxxx and xxxx in xxxx environments / businesses, thereby maximising performance and profitability.
2005-Date COMPANY NAME Ltd – T/o £xxx m, Cleaning & Facilities Management Business
Job Title – (xx Division) T/o xxx m
Selected to do / achieve xxxx (i.e. key / main purpose of the role).
Achievements (Nb most achievement words end in “....ed" and read well if accompanied by a quantification (e.g. increased sales by 20%).
· Restructured the xxxxxxxxxx with emphasis on quality of output and value adding service.
· Introduced xxxx leading to cost reduction of x% in x months
· Implemented xxxx that enabled significant improvements in xxx and xxxx
· Developed competitive tendering to maximise manpower utilisation whilst balancing shareholder needs.
· Devised reporting structures throughout the division
· Introduced formal procedures and presentation criteria for capital expenditure appraisal.
· Restructured receivables control reducing debtor days by 4 and liberating £x m of extra working capital
· Negotiated the Divisions largest contract valued at £xxx m per annum £x m achieving year on year cost savings through partnership and sharing of benefits.
2003-2005 COMPANY NAME Ltd – T/o £xxx m, xxx Business
Job Title
Recruited to raise the quality of …. (i.e. key / main purpose of the role).
· Introduced rigour and discipline into …..
· Negotiated an exit strategy adding £x m cash value at a time of relatively severe cash haemorrhage.
· Devised, planned and led a £xxx ERP IT installation minimising cash flows and significantly improving business performance and visibility.
· Led all banking relationships, satisfying banking requirements on all key covenants and giving confidence to recovery plans.
2002-2003 COMPANY NAME Ltd – T/o £xxx m, xxx Business – (part of the t/o €1.5bn xxx plc Group)
Job Title – XXX DIVISION – T/o £xx xxxx manufacturing unit
Selected to manage finance function following major capital investment, pre group-wide reorganisation.
· Reorganised finance structure into one cohesive unit ….
· Engaged the finance function into the xxx initiative focusing team on adding value through integration at all levels within their specific functional areas and reducing finance headcount by 15%.
· Implemented a structure of KPI’s to monitor performance and target business improvement.
· Relocated staff into commercial and factory areas to aid better communication & understanding of product & process flow.
2001-2002 COMPANY NAME Ltd – T/o £xxx m, xxx Business
Job Title
Headhunted to manage finance, HR, company secretarial, IT, Treasury and general administration.
· Advised, presented and took financial lead for xxxx in the merger with xxx to form xxxx Group
· Designed and implemented procedures to xxxxx
· Personally negotiated £x m mortgage deal for the acquisition of 5 xxx and secured a third party back-to-back sale for one site securing 100% profit.
· Post merger successfully integrated IT, financial processes and HR and relocated offices on time and within budget.
1977-2001 Job Title – COMPANY name LTD
1972-1977 Job Title – COMPANY name LTD
QUALIFICATIONS: Professional Qualification (e.g. ACA) plus year
Degree (e.g. BSc in Economics), University name plus year.
PERSONAL: Nationality. Marital Status. No of children. Location (or state “flexible”).
CV guidance notes
· 1-2 pages maximum
· A brief personal summary at the top (this is your elevator statement / first impression)
· List your job roles in reverse chronological order
· Name /describe the company (e.g. by size / sector), so readers can identify with it
· Add your job Title
· Show a one line reason for appointment / highlighting the key purpose of your role
· List your key / most important achievements (usually 6 or 7 for the most recent role, and progressively less detail for earlier roles)
· Remember achievements show what you actually did....if you only list responsibilities these are what you should have done. Achievements are much more powerful and action orientated. Quantified achievements even more so!
· Achievements are often described by using words ending in ....ed and are best if quantified to make them more powerful (e.g. reduced costs by 10%, e.g. improved sales by 20%)
· No harm in summarising early career to save space.
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