Career Advice - Creating a CV

A curriculum vitae is by far the most important document that you will prepare in order to identify you as an individual. Remembering that companies spend thousands of pounds marketing their brand, we will only spend a couple of hours so it is imperative to get it right.

The ideal CV should be 2–3 pages, easily digestible and with plenty of headings, to be able to communicate by word to future employers. Always place personal details; name, address, telephone number, and don’t use referees unless specifically asked. Keep it simple, no photographs, fancy paper, folders or fonts. Always use the past tense its more powerful.

With education always try to be as informative as possible, if you have passed further qualifications ensure you show the full title and date that you passed. Showing the amount of ‘O’, ‘A’ or GCSE’s or CSE’s will suffice.

Always commence employment details with your present or last position and work backwards. Explain any gaps and be as informative as possible, for example:

Name of employer,
dates employed,
job title (explain if necessary),
3–4 lines on your duties and responsibilities,
any achievements.

This will apply for all jobs held.

Finally when your CV is in front of a client it will be your introduction, they will be reading your details and want to interview you because they are interested and have many questions. Remember give away too much on your CV and you are leaving your prospective employer very little to enquire about.