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Your Curriculum Vitae is usually,
in most job applications, the first chance that you
get to make a good impression to a potential employer.
Time and effort needs to be spent on producing a CV
which will grab the viewer's attention and result in
the desired interview, and an opportunity for you to
market yourself in person.
Here are some guidelines, which will help you produce
a good quality CV. Please remember that every CV is
unique to the person writing it in terms of the content
and layout.
Presentation
- Never hand-write a CV - it should always be produced
on a computer
- Try and keep it to a maximum of three pages
- Ensure that there are no spelling mistakes
- It must be well presented, easy to read and visually
pleasing
Contents
All the information that you provide must be genuine,
accurate and to the point. Be sure to highlight your
strengths, this is your opportunity to highlight your
career achievements - use bullet points wherever possible
to keep the contents concise.
Order
Personal details - Name, address, contact telephone
numbers day, evening and mobile, e-mail address, date
of birth, nationality, gender, languages, (Visa details
if applicable).
Professional
Qualifications and Systems
State clearly what professional qualifications you have
obtained. At this point, it is also worthwhile to mention
what knowledge of systems you have (only the latest
upgrades).
Educational
qualifications
Both University and School qualifications in
chronological order. If you have an extensive employment
history, do not be too detailed about school.
e.g. Chase High School; Worcester (1976-1981)
3 A Levels: Mathematics, Physics, Business Studies
8 O Levels: 4 Grade Bs and 4 Grade Cs
Employment
history
Starting with your current/last employer and working
backwards. You should provide the following information
for each previous employer:
- Name of employer
- Nature of the business and turnover if smaller/
less well known company
- Job title
- Accurate dates of employment
- Nature of the business and turnover if smaller/
less well known company
- Responsibilities and duties- explain where applicable
in bullet points
- Achievements - be specific
- Reason for leaving in one line
If you have extensive experience
then your early career can be described in less detail.
Do not leave gaps in employment history. If you have
travelled then put down the location and the accurate
dates.
e.g. Jun 1990 - Apr 1991 Quest Recruitment
Position: Senior Consultant
Feb 1988 - Jun 1990 ABC Associates
Position: Consultant
Interests
and Achievements
This gives you an opportunity to portray something about
your personality and what you do in your free time.
Only mention achievements that are recent.
References
There is no need to write the details of your referees
on the CV, simply state that references are available
on request. Do make sure that you know who your referees
are, and have confirmed with them that they are happy
to be contacted.
Do's
- Do put your CV your employment and education in
chronological order.
- Do use good quality paper.
- Do provide a covering letter stating why you would
be applicable for the position.
- Do tailor CV to the position that you are applying
to. e.g. for a marketing role, make sure that you
CV has a marketing slant.
- Do spread your CV out.
- Do use bullet points when providing a description.
Restrict yourself to five or six points.
- Do highlight headings such as personal details,
etc.
Don'ts
- Do not waffle, use words for the sake of it
- Do not write in conversational tone - use third
person
- Do not list your school qualifications in too much
detail, unless you are a fresh graduate
- Do not leave career gaps - if you have spent time
travelling, say so
- Do not lie
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