How to write a CV

What is a CV?

A sales tool, aimed at getting you an interview. CV's are what employers base their decisions on when short listing interviewees. You must emphasise your POTENTIAL and SUITABILITY for the job, so that you are invited for interview above the other applicants. 

Look at yourself:

What do you wish to convey;  What are the major points about you that make you so employable?

e.g: Skills, experience, achievements, availability, mobility, loyalty, etc. 

Look at the job:

What job are you going for? 

Target your CV applying, emphasise your particular experience & achievements which make you ideal for the particular job. NB It may be a more general CV if you are applying for a range of work areas.

Presentation:

• Bold headings to heighten visual impact.
• Use space to highlight certain points,
• Be grammatically correct, check spellings etc.
• Keep it brief = 2/3 sides is ideal.
• Look at every point and ask yourself, will this help me get an interview?
• ​Keep it simple, don't use flowery language and around the third person.​
• Note form is fine, in fact it's preferred by those who have to sift through CV's

Example:

PERSONAL DETAILS incl NAME, NATIONALITY, DATE OF BIRTH, ADDRESS, MARITAL STATUS, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, DRIVER, E-MAIL ADDRESS, WORK LOCATION.

EDUCATION: incl DEGREE, A LEVELS, GCSE's:

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

POSITION SOUGHT

Brief description of the type of role you want (alter depending on which job you are applying for), preferred location/s, current salary, salary sought.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY with ACHIEVMENTS

Start with most recent first and DON'T LEAVE GAPS IN YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY. For each job, emphasise your ACHIEVEMENTS , what you did, which technologies you used, how long you were there (dates), how much you earned and why you left. 

INTERESTS

Talk specifically about genuine interests; give examples to demonstrate your characteristics, such as conveying your ability to work well in team and/or alone by referring to any sport/social activities you may be involved.

REFERENCES

Give 2 referee's, preferably your most recent employer and the employer prior to that.