Charlotte Haye 19th September 2018

How to Write a Killer HGV Driver CV

You’ve finished your training, and now you’re ready to go out into the world and find yourself a job as an HGV driver. Congratulations” This is a very exciting time, and the whole world is your oyster. Like any industry, breaking into it can be a bit daunting, especially when you don’t know the customs and expectations around it yet. But you’ve got to start your new career somewhere! So, today we have a few tips on what should be included in your CV now that you’re qualified so that you can get that ideal HGV driving job right away.

Essential Information

First things first, you need your essential information. That’s things like your name, address, telephone number and email address. This helps employers know at a glance who you are, as well as how they can get hold of you. But don’t get too carried away. You don’t need loads of information in this section – your employer doesn’t need to know your age, marital status or even gender. In fact, including that kind of information could be prejudicial, and might cost you the job. Just keep it to the basics. Ensure you have 2 contact numbers for you (a landline and a mobile preferably), as this is something people often forget.

Personal Summary

One all the essential bits are out the way, you should write a short (!) personal summary. This is your chance to tell your potential employers about yourself. Remember, this is a professional document, so it’s worth keeping this section professional, rather than delving into your hobbies and what you like to do on a Saturday night. Instead, look for ways you can tell them how perfect you are for the role, your work ethic, your previous experience (or new qualification) and your love for being on the road. Keep it short but compelling, and don’t overshare.

Work Experience

Now for the really important bit – your work experience. Best practice days it’s best to do this in reverse chronological order, which means starting with the most recent job you held and working backwards. Now, if this is your first foray into the world of HGV driving, you might feel a bit nervous about putting this section in. After all, if you’ve got no experience in the industry, they might not want to hire you. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Firms are looking for new, up and coming drivers to hire to replace their retiring fleet drivers, so this could actually work in your favour. Plus, your old jobs can help showcase other skills you could bring to the role, like time management or the ability to hit targets. Don’t forget to include the company name, your role there, how long you worked there and what you did in your time there.

Qualifications

This is another very important part of your CV, and if you’re a new driver, this is where you can shine. Here, you should list all of your qualifications, again, in reverse chronological order. You can use this section to showcase your new qualification as an HGV driver (Cat C, Cat C+E etc), along with any other qualifications and school grades you have.

A Few Tips…

Your CV is a reflection of you as a person and as a candidate. Prospective employers will use what you put in front of them as a way to judge if they want to meet you, so making a good first impression is vital. Ensure you double and triple check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, as these simple things can often cost you an interview. It’s also important to remember that a good CV isn’t about quantity – it’s about quality. It doesn’t need to go on for pages and pages – it just needs to contain all the information the employer will need to decide if they want to meet you. So if you’re trying to work out if you need to include that certain piece of information, odds are you probably don’t.

At Easy as HGV, we don’t just train new drivers. We work hard to help you find a role in the industry once you’re qualified and even help write your CV and put you in touch with prospective employers. Once you qualify with us, we open up our connection to you and help you find your place in the HGV industry. For more information, just get in touch with us today.

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