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How to write a quality CV for the town planning sector

Written by: Laura Sullivan
Published on: 16 Aug 2017
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Laura Sullivan at TopCV, the largest CV-writing service in the world, shares her advice on how to ensure your planning CV captures the attention of your dream employer

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As a professional in town planning, consultancy, development, or enforcement, you know that quality is one of the most essential components to a successful project and build.

Therefore, you need to make sure this feature is demonstrated in your CV, too.

To ensure you measure up to and above your competition and employers’ expectations, here’s how to write a quality CV for jobs in planning. 

Include a strong personal profile

Firstly, if you want to impress your prospective employer and showcase your talent from the off, you need to craft a strong personal profile — particularly as it will be the first section a recruiter reads.

A personal profile consists of three main things: who you are, where your expertise lies, and where your career is going. Of course, while you must be honest with your title, achievements and aims, you must also tailor your profile to the required skills listed in the job description where possible. 

For example, if the job requires a candidate with an architecture degree, class 2:1 or higher, and you have this, be sure to say so. Don’t make the recruiter guess.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE CV REVIEW 

Highlight your core skills and competencies

Recent research suggests that the average UK recruiter spends 8.8 seconds per CV. As a result, you need to make sure that you hook, line and sinker as quickly as possible.

Consider adding a core skills and competencies section just below your personal profile to showcase relevant expertise immediately.

Some common job-related skills in town planning that you may find relevant to include are: masterplanning, public realm and landscape design, experience in site appraisals, and the preparation and submission of planning applications.

In addition, you may decide to reference essential transferable skills, too, such as: communication, leadership, teamwork and time management.

If you’re ever unsure what information you should include in this section, or in your education and employment history sections, for that matter, simply refer to the skills listed in the job description and tailor your experience and core competencies sections accordingly.

Support your skills with evidence

Another way to write a quality CV for the town planning sector is by supporting your skills with evidence. This will add weight to your growth, successes and abilities.

For example, if you’re applying for an urban designer role, you may need experience using Sketchup, CAD, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Rather than simply writing that you have these skills, show the recruiter. For example, you might write: ‘Proficient in Sketchup, CAD, Adobe CS and Photoshop - from designing public spaces in my dissertation.’ In addition, you might choose to hyperlink this point to a specific part of your online portfolio, letting the recruiter physically see your work.

By supporting your abilities with concrete evidence, you therefore validate your skill set, persuading the recruiter that these skills genuinely exist in your repertoire. This makes you a stronger applicant.

Follow these tips to create a quality CV for your next town planning job and you’ll be securing interviews before you know it. 

TopCV offers a range of CV-writing services including expertly-written and keyword-optimised CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. It is currently offering a free CV review to help you land your perfect planning job.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE CV REVIEW