As part of your application to OPSS, you’ll be asked to complete a CV. This is your moment to shine. It’s your chance to introduce yourself, tell your story, and highlight what makes you the perfect fit for the role. Share your skills, your experience, and the achievements you’re proud of. This might include a project you led, a challenge you overcame, or a skill you’ve mastered, this is your space to show how you stand out.
To help you do just that, we’ve put together a set of practical, easy-to-follow tips designed to help your application stand out from the crowd. Whether you're applying for your first role or bringing years of experience to the table, these suggestions will guide you in presenting your skills, achievements, and potential in the best possible light.
1.Use Reverse Chronological Order
Organise your employment history starting with your most recent role and working backwards. This way we can quickly assess your current experience and career progression. For each position, include your job title, employer name, dates of employment, and a concise summary of your key responsibilities and accomplishments.
2. Explain any Gaps
Avoid leaving unexplained gaps in your employment history as these can raise unnecessary concerns. Be proactive and transparent: if you took time off for travel, education, caregiving, or personal growth, include a brief explanation in your CV.
3. Write clearly and Concisely
Use clear and concise writing to effectively demonstrate your suitability for the role. Brevity is key: one well-structured page is often sufficient to highlight your experience without being overwhelming. Focus on relevant roles and accomplishments, and avoid padding with outdated or unrelated details. You may present your competencies and experience either in bullet points or as a paragraph, depending on your preference.
4. Align Your Experience with the Essential Criteria
The Civil Service assesses candidates using the Success Profiles framework, which enables a more rounded evaluation of suitability for a role. This approach may focus on one or more elements, including behaviours, strengths, experience, ability, and technical skills. To identify the element being evaluated, read the job description carefully and use your CV to draw clear connections between your background and details from the essential criteria to showcase the required competency.
5. Use Powerful Verbs for Impact
Use strong action verbs that convey impact and initiative. Words like “designed,” “optimised,” and “delivered” are more compelling than passive phrases such as “responsible for” or “involved in.” Using action-oriented verbs can help you come across as proactive, confident, and results-focused. That’s exactly the kind of impression you want to make.
Example: Instead of “Involved in enforcement actions against non-compliant businesses” Write: “Led enforcement investigations resulting in formal action against five non-compliant businesses.
6. Use Numbers to Bring Your Achievements to Life.
Quantifying results helps to quickly show the value you’ve delivered and makes your accomplishments more memorable. Wherever possible, include metrics that show the impact of your work, such as percentages, time saved, or customer satisfaction improvements.
Example: Instead of “Designed and delivered a new training programme that received positive feedback from participants and helped improve overall learner engagement.” Write: “Designed and delivered a new training programme that increased learner satisfaction scores by 23%, based on post-course feedback.”
7. Keep it Anonymous
We conduct blind assessments, so please avoid including any personally identifiable information such as your name, email address, age, or similar details. However, you may include professional information like your job title and the name of your employer.
8. Proofread What You’ve Written
Always take the time to proofread your CV. Spelling errors, typos, and inconsistent formatting can detract from your credibility. Ideally, review it more than once and consider asking a trusted friend or mentor to provide feedback. Reading your CV out loud can help you spot clunky wording or errors you might otherwise miss.
By following these tips, you’ll create a CV that’s clear, confident, and tailored to the role, giving you the best possible chance to land your next interview. Good luck with your next application!
Subscribe to our email updates and be the first to receive helpful tips on CV writing, job applications, and more.
Leave a comment