Insert title text here ...

Your CV is one of the most important documents you will ever create; it not only lists your contact details, education, qualifications, skills and work history but for your potential employer is the first impression they get of you. Therefore your CV is an extremely important document if you are to be successful and gain an interview.

If you are creating a CV for the first time or want to improve your current CV here are some tips and suggestions to help you. As you will be creating your CV electronically and eventually sending it as an attachment we suggest you create it as a MS Word document to save problems with conversions and databases.

When creating a CV, three important things to remember:
(layout, look, length)

We hope the following advice will help you to create an easy to read, well laid out, correct and concise CV.

THE LAYOUT:
Headings should be clear and accurate, listed in the correct order, last or current work history at the top working backwards (see our example) The information should run in easy to follow columns, not in a confused or complex lay out. A simple table with the grid lines hidden is a handy tool to keep text in line and looking tidy. The use of tabulations, text boxes, and frames are best avoided as they can confuse data bases and we don’t like them.

THE LOOK:
Your CV should be free of borders, graphics, patterns, extravagant or mixed fonts, the over use of bold and capitals, plus all other unnecessary artistic embellishments as they make a CV look a mess, keep it simple, keep it clear.

THE LENGTH:
Two / three pages, maximum is our recommended length, it is quality and not quantity that is important to an employer. An employer can go into more detail on any subject at an interview.

ORDER OF INFORMATION:
All information must be accurate and truthful.

From the top:
Your full name, your current address, all telephone numbers and email addresses and any other contact details.

SYNOPSIS:  A brief, three line statement that lists your personal strong points for the interviewer. This summary will create the readers first impression of you.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:
Schools, colleges, University attended and details of grades or qualifications achieved.
Memberships of professional bodies' etc. should also be listed at this stage.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Your last or current employment should be first on your CV and then work backwards.
State clearly your employer’s company name and the date/dates you worked for them. State your position and a brief listing of what your job entailed.

GRADUATES:
You will no doubt have some work experience which may not relate to the role for which you are applying. List the skills and experience that you have acquired and gained through placements and studies.

HOBBIES, INTERESTS:
These actually say more about you as a person than you probably realise and should be added at the end of a CV.

REFERENCES:
References can be added but putting references on request shows that you have them available if required.

Additional Tips: -

DON’T’S
UNIMPORTANT DETAILS:
Age, height, weight, fathers name, number of children, religion, photos etc. are all irrelevant. Also any form of perceived failure on your CV is a minus point to a prospective employer, a failed business or marriage should also be omitted. They have no relevance to your professional ability.

MOST IMPORTANT:
Once you have created an easy to read, accurate CV, SPELL CHECK AND GRAMMER CHECK IT. There are no excuses for spelling mistakes, typos or bad grammar all give the wrong impression.

LASTLY, ask someone to read through your CV and make comment on it, anyone can miss a mistake or make an error.

We hope the above advice has been a help to you and you now have an easy to read, well laid out, correct and concise CV. This will show you plus your qualifications, skills and experience in the best possible light.

 S
 C
 R
 O
 L