JR Personnel

Build a CV

Preparing your CV

Your Curriculum Vitae is usually, in most job applications, the first chance that you get to make a good impression to a potential employer. Time and effort needs to be spent on producing a CV which will grab the viewer's attention and result in the desired interview, and an opportunity for you to market yourself in person.

Here are some guidelines, which will help you produce a good quality CV. Please remember that every CV is unique to the person writing it

Presentation

  • Never hand-write a CV - it should always be produced on a computer.
  • Try and keep it to a maximum of two pages
  • Ensure that there are no spelling mistakes
  • It must be well presented, easy to read and visually pleasing

Order

  1. Personal details - Name, address, contact telephone numbers day, evening and mobile, e-mail address, date of birth, nationality, gender, languages, (Visa details if applicable).
  2. Personal Profile - short paragraph (probably 3 sentences) explaining skills and business strengths as succinctly and accurately as possible. Remember leave your character to reflect itself more at interview!

    Eg. I am a keen, ambitious and well motivated individual working in a high profile customer service environment. I have a proactive approach and consider myself flexible and enthusiastic and enjoy working within a team. I can work under pressure, enjoy meeting deadlines and using my own initiative.

  3. Employment history - starting with your current/last employer and working backwards. You should provide the following information for each previous employer:
    • Name of employer
    • Nature of the business and turnover if smaller/ less well known company
    • Job title
    • Accurate dates of employment
    • Responsibilities and duties- explain where applicable in bullet points
    • Achievements - be specific
    • If you have extensive experience then your early career can be described in less detail. Do not leave gaps in employment history. If you have travelled then put down the location and the accurate dates.

  4. Educational and Professional qualifications - both University and School qualifications in chronological order. If you have an extensive employment history, do not be too detailed about school. eg:
    • Marlborough College; Wiltshire (1976-1981)
    • 3 A Levels: Mathematics, Physics, Business Studies
    • 8 O Levels: 4 Grade Bs and 4 Grade Cs

  5. Interests and Achievements - This gives you an opportunity to portray something about your personality and what you do in your free time.
  6. References - There is no need to write the details of your referees on the CV, simply state that references are available on request.

Do's

  • Do keep it short.
  • Do put your employment and education in chronological order
  • Do use good quality paper if you are not emailing your CV
  • Do provide a covering letter stating why you would be applicable for the position
  • Do tailor your CV to the position that you are applying to. e.g. for a marketing role, make sure that your CV has a marketing slant
  • Do use bullet points when providing a description. Restrict yourself to five or six points
  • Do highlight headings such as personal details, etc.
  • Do ensure there are no spelling mistakes

Don'ts

  • Do not waffle, 35% of personnel managers cited waffle as their 'pet hate'.
  • Do not write in conversational tone - use third person
  • Do not list your school qualifications in too much detail, unless you are a fresh graduate
  • Do not leave career gaps - if you have spent time travelling, say so
  • Do not lie
  • Do not include a photo