First some simple dos and don’ts:

Do

• Keep the length to 2-3 pages long maximum
• Keep lots of white space around the edges of the text making it clear and readable
• Make the text blocks themselves no more than 5-6 lines
• Make headings clear and consistent
• Use bullet points where possible
• Make sure all events are dated including qualifications and employment
• Make sure there are no gaps in the dates - if there are, give an explanations
• Tailor your CV to the role that you’re applying for

Don’t

• Begin your CV with your personal mission statement
• Write in long chatty prose, this is a punchy document not a biography
• List irrelevant personal details, such as names of children, the car you drive etc
• Make sweeping statements about how wonderful you are - good with people etc
• Lie

CV structure – suggestions from the professionals

It is a good idea to split your CV into 4 sections - Personal Information, Qualifications, Employment History and Interests. They should be in this order:

Personal Information

• Full name
• Full address
• Telephone numbers (day/evening/mobile - as appropriate)
• E-mail address
• State whether you are eligible to work or need a work permit

Qualifications

• If educated to degree level (or have a higher qualification) it is only necessary to briefly list earlier academic qualifications.
• Any degree should have the name of the establishment from which it was gained and the level/grade obtained.
• This section should also include any professional qualifications. Additionally, you may want to include any work related training.

Employment History

• It is generally accepted practice to put your employment history in reverse chronological order and this section should include dates, size and scope of responsibilities and achievements.
• Remember at all times that potential employers are looking for evidence that you can add value to the job and the organisation.
• Give most space to your most recent job.
• If you do not work for a well-known organisation it might be appropriate to insert a brief description of the company and its business.
• Dates - only necessary to put the month and year of joining and leaving any employer. Your current position should be 'to date'.
• State your title.
• Do not leave out any period of employment for whatever reason. It is important to ensure that your time is accountable since otherwise this may prove difficult at interview.
• Do not give reasons for leaving any of the jobs on your CV - it is far better to explain your moves in person at interview.
• Do not embellish your CV or be economical with the truth (i.e. overstating your experience or accomplishments) - you will be found out at interview.
• Salary information should be left off the CV but your current or most recent salary should be included in any covering letter. Be prepared to discuss your salary with recruitment consultants at an early stage, so they know you are in the right range.
• Try not to use technical/professional jargon.

Interests

• The key here is that if you are in doubt, leave them out. Be prepared to elaborate on any of your interests such as the last play you saw, the last book you read, the last place that you visited on a scuba diving holiday. If you have any interests that might, in any way, be controversial then leave them off the CV. In any event this section should be no longer than 1-2 lines.

STOP!

• Have you proofread and spell checked your CV? It is a good idea to ask a friend or colleague whom you can trust to read it through for you. Hopefully they will give you honest and useful input on whether your CV is concise, accurate and relevant to the job and fairly indicates your level of responsibility and achievements. Don’t exaggerate, but also don’t undersell yourself.
  
• Finally... spend a couple of minutes reading your CV. Are you satisfied that a potential employer/recruitment consultant will be impressed enough to want to meet you?

Written by Matt Brooks, Manager, Frazer Jones Reward. Frazer Jones is a market-leading global HR Recruitment consultancy.
www.frazerjonesreward.com

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