Writing Your CV
Ensure that your CV is laid out simply -don't be too tempted to use anything too gimmicky. Ensure that your typeface is easy to read and use bullet points to highlight specific points.
- Name
- Address
- Telephone Number
- Personal Profile- a summary of who you are and your skills/experience
- Career Summary
- Begin with your most recent employment and work backwards. Include company, job title and dates of employment.
- Give more detailed information for the last ten years, prior to that only include details if relevant, otherwise summarise.
- Do not leave any unexplained gaps and avoid too many dates. Lump several years together if necessary and summarise experience in that period. Focus on what you have achieved.
- For each position held, consider responsibilities and achievements and where possible substantiate with figures (e.g.: cost saving, efficiency, targets, deadlines).
- Highlight strengths and use positive action words.
- Omit unnecessary detail. Education and Qualification
- Name of establishment and dates (secondary and further education only)
- Qualifications attained. Training Courses
- Additional to formal academic training. Personal Details
- Date of Birth Hobbies/Interests:
- Be succinct.
- Be careful what you write, think how it reads. Too many sports can indicate injury and therefore potentially time off work. Some interests are associated with pubs and alcohol and again, may suggest things to a potential employer, which might not be appropriate.
- Languages
NOTE: You can include any other headings you are comfortable with. For example, you may wish to use 'Professional Affiliations', 'Publications' or 'Additional Information' as these could contain items which you have not been able to include elsewhere and which are not seen to be valuable attributes (e.g. committees, first aid certificates etc).
Do not rush your CV - you should take several attempts to get it right. Get a second opinion. Review it on a regular basis. Make sure it is working for you.
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