Scottish CV: Tips and CV Templates for Scotland

Why Use a Scottish-Specific CV Template?

Scotland is an attractive place to live and work, especially if you’re pursuing a career within several key industries. Scotland is a powerhouse in the energy sector, at the heart of the UK’s oil and gas industries, while also being an exemplar of the renewable energy sector, including hydroelectric power and both offshore and onshore wind. The country is at the forefront of the UK’s food and drink industry, has a growing tech sector and boasts a thriving tourism industry. 

If you’re hoping to work in any of these sectors, you’re sure to find attractive employment opportunities in Scotland. However, there are plenty of reasons to move to Scotland to work in any industry sector. While Edinburgh is one of the most expensive cities to live and work in the UK, most other Scottish towns and cities enjoy a cost of living far below the UK average. In fact, the cost of living in Glasgow, including rent, is on average 34% lower than London (1).

Using a Scottish-specific CV example will help to ensure your CV meets the expectations of employers in the region. Scottish CVs tend to be concise, easy-to-read and ATS-optimised, with a focus on your relevant qualifications and work experience. Using a template that allows you to create an ATS-friendly CV that makes a strong impression with Scottish recruiters and hiring managers will give you the best chances of success in your Scottish job search.

Key Features of a Professional CV in Scotland

An ideal CV for Scottish job applications follows a traditional, reverse-chronological structure, emphasising work experience and presenting your employment history in reverse order, starting with your most recent role. Aim for a length of between one and two pages of A4 paper, depending on your experience and seniority level. Furthermore, choose CV templates that reflect your personal style and suit the industry you’re applying to work in. For traditional professions, an understated, formal layout works best. However, if you’re applying to work in more modern, emerging industries, you can be less traditional in your CV design.

Scottish CV structure

The ideal structure of a Scottish CV is as follows:

• CV header: In your CV header, add your first and last name, followed by your contact details. These should include your phone number and email address, as well as your location and LinkedIn profile (if this is up-to-date). It’s best not to add any personal details to your CV header, such as your age, nationality, gender, marital status, or a personal photo. These could risk your application being jeopardised by UK anti-discrimination laws.
• Professional summary: Add a short paragraph of two-to-three sentences, outlining your key skills and career achievements. If you’re applying for a more junior role, you may wish to write a CV objective focusing on your ambitions and how the role would fit with your career journey. 
• Work experience: For most applications, your work experience should take up the majority of the space on your CV. List any relevant previous roles, starting with your most recent and stating your job title, the name of your employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Under each entry, add some bullet points highlighting your achievements and the key skills you used in the role. Be sure to relate every bullet point in your work experience section back to something listed in the job description.
• Education: Include your most recent and most relevant qualifications, including any Scottish qualifications such as Scottish Highers, and any degrees or qualifications from Scottish universities or training institutions. If you have space, add some details below each qualification outlining your areas of study, relevant skills you gained or extracurricular activities relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Skills: A skills list is a great place to showcase your key strengths. List a few essential hard, technical skills and any soft, transferable skills that make you a valuable employee. Pay attention to the job description and make sure your skills section includes any essential skills listed there, as well as some that make you a unique, compelling candidate.
• Optional sections: If you’re struggling to prove your credentials for the role using the CV sections above, consider adding optional sections such as certifications, hobbies and interests or volunteer work. Make each entry relevant to the job description, only including content that showcases your key skills and suitability for the role. If you have any certifications from Scottish awarding bodies or professional associations, be sure to list them in your certifications section.

Formatting a CV for Scotland

The formatting of your CV can make a big difference to your chances of success in Scottish job applications. A clear, professional CV layout will be easy to read and help Scottish employers assess your credentials quickly and with minimal fuss.

Here are a few tips for your Scotland CV formatting:

• Select a clear, readable and professional serif or sans serif font.
• Use a font size between 10 and 12 for your CV body text, with a larger font size (and if you wish, a different font) for headings.
• Make your section headings clear and use standard titles, such as ‘work experience’, ‘education’ and ‘skills’, to help ATS software accurately scan and parse your CV.
• Adjust your margins, line spacing and space both before and after paragraphs to give your text space to breathe, making it more readable and visually appealing.

Downloadable CV Templates for Scottish Job Seekers

How to Tailor Your CV for Scottish Employers

Generally, a Scottish CV should follow the same conventions as a UK CV. Scottish people tend to use the term ‘CV’ rather than ‘resume’ and your CV should be written in British English. Avoid using clichés and write your CV in clear, simple English for maximum readability.

Here are a few tips for tailoring your CV for various key industries in Scotland:

• Oil and gas: Show your industry knowledge by showcasing examples of major projects you’ve worked on, and your understanding of regulatory frameworks around fossil fuel extraction.
• Renewable energy: Highlight your technical knowledge and achievements in previous projects, with particular emphasis on wind and hydroelectric, as these are two of Scotland’s most prominent renewable energy sources.
• Food and drink: Showcase your knowledge and awareness of Scotland’s most famous and reputable fresh produce and food and drink products. Scotland is a major producer of barley, wheat and oats, as well as beef, salmon and other fish. Meanwhile, famous prepared food and drink products include whisky, haggis, shortbread and smoked fish, including smoked salmon.
• Tourism: Emphasise experience that showcases your knowledge of Scottish culture, history and geography. This can help you stand out as a candidate who can promote Scotland’s offer to visitors and tourists.
• Engineering: Scotland is a hub for ship building, while the country also has a burgeoning aerospace industry. Highlight any major projects you’ve worked on, with an emphasis on technical skills and how you contributed towards successful outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Scottish CV

Avoid these common errors for your Scottish CV to make the best possible impact with employers in Scotland:

• Don’t make your CV too long: A CV length of between one and two pages is usually sufficient for Scottish job applications. Aim for one page if you don’t have much work experience, and two pages for more senior roles. Academic CVs can be longer if necessary.
• Don’t omit key skills from the job description: You’ll want to make sure your CV covers all the key skills mentioned in the job description. Whether you list them in your skills section or spread them throughout your CV, it’s essential to cover them.
• Don’t squeeze too much onto the page: Crowded, overly fussy CV designs are harder to read and can lead to disengaged readers. Choose a CV template that gives your content space to breathe and makes your CV as easy to read as possible.
• Don’t use cliché or over-complex language: Filling your CV with business jargon or over-elaborate language won’t impress the reader. In fact, it might have the opposite effect. Keep your writing simple and concise throughout.

Final Tips for a Successful Scottish CV

These final quick CV tips can help you gain success in your applications for jobs in Scotland:

• Tailor your CV to the job description: Read the job description and adapt your CV so it responds directly to the requirements of the employer.
• Use keywords and phrases: Include keywords and phrases that mirror the job description throughout your CV, to give it the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage.
• Use a professional CV design: Giving your CV a clean, professional layout and design, such as those offered by CVwizard, will help it stand out from the competition. Add subtle colour accents and design elements to make your CV easy on the eye and engaging for the reader.
• Proofread your CV: Use British English and carefully review your CV for errors in spelling and grammar. Such errors are easily avoidable and can undermine your chances of success.
• Test your CV for ATS compatibility: Consider using an ATS compatibility checker to ensure your CV is ATS-friendly. This should help you pass the initial screening and ensure your CV gets reviewed by a decision maker.

"A clear, professional CV layout will be easy to read and help Scottish employers to assess your credentials quickly and with minimal fuss."

Key Takeaways for a Winning Scottish CV

When writing a CV for Scottish jobs, adhere to British CV standards and tailor your application according to the job description. Add examples of previous experience in Scotland or Scottish qualifications, make sure your CV is ATS-friendly and keep your content concise, professional and to-the-point. CVwizard’s online CV maker can help you to quickly and easily produce an eye-catching CV that sets you apart from the competition. Sign up today to access a wealth of CV and cover letter tools to boost your Scotland job applications.

Sources: 

(1) Numbeo.com: Cost of Living Comparison Between London and Glasgow