Many of us spend hours putting together our CVs, carefully listing our experience and qualifications but the reality is marine recruitment agencies or hiring managers will want to pick out key information on your CV quickly. We understand that could make you worried about what to include, so here are some guidance and tips on how to set out your CV, summary, and headlines, and ensure your experience is powerful and readable.
Let’s focus on two of our most sought-after tradespeople – Industrial Painters and Blasters and Welder Fabricators and how candidates can get their CV noticed in the shipbuilding and marine refit sector.
Industrial Painters CV
As an Industrial Painter, you likely have achieved certain qualifications such as iCATS but you may be competing against other painters. If you can insert some of your achievements or skillset into your summary, this can help you to stand out. What marine sector clients care about is the scope and scale of projects you have worked on, and which shipyards or projects you have completed work for. It’s about project speed and how willing you are to put in hours so that they can get their build or re-fit through the shipyard in time. It’s likely they are looking for experience in contract work which will demonstrate you understand the nature of the marine shipbuilding and refit sector.
Make sure you use the words in your summary and the achievements that they have used in the job ad. For example, if they have said they’re looking for an individual for a fast-paced environment, you might include a summary like this:
“I am an experienced industrial painter, who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Having worked on several shipbuilding projects, I understand how to finish work quickly whilst maintaining high quality.”
Using keywords in your summary
You might be a welder fabricator who is looking for work when you spot a job that says we need candidates with the right skill set who have worked on major shipbuilding projects and understand plans. Your summary could use words from the job ad:
“With 20 years as a welder fabricator in the marine sector and major shipbuilding projects. My skill set includes understanding and interpreting plans”.
Here are some other helpful tips for writing a CV:
- A CV should be no longer than two sides of A4.
- List your most recent achievements first.
- Use active verbs when possible.
- No spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Do not lie or exaggerate.
- Create the right type of CV for your circumstance.
- Always include a cover letter.
- Details of courses taken.
- Work experience is an education and skills achievement.
- List new hobbies.
- Use standard format to make it easier for recruiters to skim over.
Remember that a CV is a door opener, just a summary of who you are and how you meet the criteria so that you are invited for an interview; that is where you will have the chance to go into detail and get across some of your personality.
If you are an Industrial Painter and Blaster or Welder Fabricator, please do speak to one of our team today about the incredible opportunities we have in UK shipbuilding and refit.
