Do:

• Use a confident tone and positive language
• Concentrate on quantative achievements not responsibilities
• Make most relevant experience and skills more prominent
• Keep content concise and within 2 pages
• List additional skills such as languages, driving, IT skills etc.
• Check spelling and grammar thoroughly
• Get a second opinion from someone you trust
• Use good quality paper; white is usually best

Don't:

• Don't leave work record gaps; employers assume the worst
• Lie; many employers use info services to check CV validity
• List all the 1-day training courses you have ever attended
• Include a photo unless requested by the employer
• Fax your CV without sending an original in the post as well
• See elaborate fonts or colours; keep it simple.
• Forget it's just a tool for getting an interview. Your CV will not get you the job alone; the rest is up to you

 

Presentation

 

Ensuring your CV is well presented and easy to follow is as important as including all the relevant information. Most employers see hundreds of CV's and yours may get less than a minute of their time.

 

Most people follow a historical CV format, as this is familiar to employers and is easy to write with employment history placed in chronological order.

 

It also gives a good idea of career progression. However, if your career history is fragmented due to career breaks or a period of unemployment, you may consider a skills-based CV that highlights your abilities and aptitudes. It gives you the chance to describe what you can do, rather than detailing a list of jobs.

 

Whatever your choice, your CV should look clear and tidy with all information easy to find. Although it is tempting to make your CV stand out by using, for example, coloured paper or an arty layout, it is best to stick to black print on good quality white paper.

 

Most employers will expect to find the information under clear headings highlighted in bold or capitals, such as WORK EXPERIENCE or EDUCATION. Put dates on the left-hand side and indent information to make it easy for employers to find their way through your history.