Five Things to Include on Your Trades CV
A strong trades CV should make it easy for an employer to understand your experience within a few minutes.
The first thing to include is your qualifications. Clearly list relevant NVQs, City & Guilds qualifications, 18th Edition, Inspection & Testing, Gas Safe qualifications or other trade-specific training.
Next, include your cards and certifications. ECS, JIB, CSCS, IPAF, PASMA and similar certifications can be essential for certain roles and sites.
Your practical experience should also be clearly explained. Rather than simply writing "Electrician" or "Plumber", include the type of work you actually completed. This could include installation, testing, fault finding, maintenance, first and second fix, EICRs, commercial work or domestic projects.
Employers also need to know your location and travel situation. Include whether you have a full driving licence, your own vehicle and how far you are willing to travel.
Finally, make your availability and expectations clear. If you are immediately available, say so. If you have a notice period, include it. It can also help to have a realistic idea of the salary, hourly rate or day rate you are seeking.
At Able Talent, we regularly speak with candidates whose experience is much stronger than their CV suggests.
A good CV should make sure an employer sees that experience before making a decision.
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