First impressions…

On the desk of a potential employer, your CV speaks for you. So take the time now to make sure it will say the right things. It should be clearly presented and easy to read, avoiding superlatives, clumsy jargon and over-used cliches. Avoid making exaggerated claims - be honest but also be selective, you only want to give information which shows you in a positive light. Remember that employers may be faced with many CVs, and their first objective is to filter out all of those applicants who are unsuitable for the job. How can you ensure that your CV stands out in the face of stiff competition?

Education and training

• List your qualifications, beginning with your degree, followed by post-graduate and professional qualifications.
• You do not need to explain trivial details of early education and employment

Career objectives

You should briefly give a description of your career objectives, not more than one or two sentences.

Employment history

Your CV should show a prospective employer your range of experience and your professional development, and also identify the key skills and responsibilities of each position you have held. If you are a graduate looking for your first job, you can use this section to describe your final year project, your areas of interest, and any positions of responsibility you held within university societies.

• List positions held in reverse chronological order
• For each position, clearly state company, job title, dates, responsibilities, duties, projects and achievements

• Think about the specific tasks and challenges of each position and your role in the company or project.

• Give more detail for your most recent positions – these will be given far more attention by employers.

• Account for all your time – don’t leave gaps

Hobbies and interests

• Give a brief summary of hobbies and interests – be selective, they should enhance your image and give employers a fuller sense of you as a person.

• Keep personal details brief and essential.

References

• Put ‘references available upon request’ at the end of your CV

Design and layout

Your CV needs to make the right visual impression. It should be clear, attractive and stylish and show a level of professionalism which immediately gives a prospective employer confidence. Here are a few key points to remember:

• Your CV should be no more than two sides of A4 (except for senior management level, where three may be necessary).
• Use a simple layout that is easy to navigate, directing employers straight to the important information
• Use a quality paper in white or cream, and choose a clear typeface (such as Times New Roman or Arial), font size 12.

• Bullet points, bold headings and clever typesetting allow you to present a lot of information without it seeming crowded.

Overall, the design and layout of your CV should show an employer that you have put time and thought into it.

Final words…

• Check your CV for spelling and grammar! Or better still, get someone else to check it. Trivial spelling and grammar errors make a poor impression, and if you cannot produce a professional CV you are inviting an employer to question your overall competence.
• Send your CV unfolded, accompanied by a covering letter.
• GOOD LUCK!