How To Write A CV

A strong CV will ensure you promote yourself to the best advantage and help you secure interviews.

There is no single solution or a best way to construct a CV; it is your document and can be structured and presented as you wish within the basic framework set out below.

What general information should a CV include?

• Your personal details, including your address and methods of contact including email address
• A profile of your skills and achievements
• Your career experience and usually in reverse chronological order with your current position first with achievements and responsibilities for each role. More emphasis/information should be put on more recent jobs. Achievements are much more relevant than responsibilities and should always be measurable – this is the area an employer will look to see how you can add value
• Skills. Include computer skills and (genuine) foreign language skills and any other recent training/development that is relevant to the role applied for.
• Hobbies and Interests – be concise but personal to you

General Tips

• CV’s are often transmitted by e-mail and you should be aware that the most relevant information should be on the first screen or two that the recipient will view the document on.  If the recipient is interested in you they will then scroll down.
• Your CV should cover two or three pages with the content presented in a clear, structured, concise and relevant manner using bullet points rather than full sentences.
• The completed CV needs to be checked carefully for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes and to ensure that it makes sense.
• Remember when writing and structuring your CV that it is essentially marketing you and that a potential employer will use the details provided to form interview questions. It should be clear and easy to read. Gaps in career history should be explained and falsehoods and inaccuracies avoided at all costs.
• There is no need to include your reasons for leaving each job on your CV but be prepared to answer these questions in your interview.
• Current salary details should not be included.
• A personal and clearly presented covering letter or email should always accompany your CV.