How to write a CV

A CV highlighting relevant skills and experience will considerably increase your chances of getting an interview. Bespoke your CV to the role you are applying for emphasising the reasons & skills you have that are relevant to the job you have applied for. Think why you're right for the job. Focus on the following seven key areas and present all information chronologically, if appropriate, with the most recent at the top of the section.

Contact details

Use your name as a heading at the top of the first page and provide your contact details, including a contact telephone number and e-mail address.

Personal Information

Personal information may be put down if you feel it relevant for the role or would wish this information to be known. Asking questions question's at interview for an employer can be a minefield with respect to sex, race, disability and age discrimination hence why often a HR person will be present.

Summary

This section should set out key information about your skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying for.

Education and qualifications

Detail all your professional memberships as well as general academic achievements, and include your anticipated result if you are currently studying. Ensure that you include names of education bodies and the dates you attended.

Work experience

Start with the most recent job first and compile the following information:

Company Job Title Dates

• Dates – give the dates you were employed by each organisation.

• Organisation - give the organisation's name and a brief description of the business allowing the reader to make comparisons about the size and complexity of the organisation.

• Job title - provides the job title and describes what you were employed to do. Be selective and mention the principal tasks and responsibilities of the role relevant to the position you are applying for.

• Achievements – these should set you apart from the competition. Each achievement should include whether you worked independently or as part of a team, what you did, and the results of your actions.

Specialist Skills

List any computer software packages that you are familiar with, that would be relevant to the job and your level of proficiency. Employers want to see that candidates have some experience with tools and resources used.

Interests and activities

We would not recommend putting information on hobbies.

Referees

Contact potential referees to obtain their agreement to provide references before submitting your CV. When a potential employer asks for your referees, take the opportunity to contact the referees to explain the role you are applying for. This will enable them to have a relevant, constructive conversation with the employer.

CV writing – do's and don'ts

DO

1. Ensure your CV is two pages in length at most.

2. Make your CV easy to read by choosing a clear typeface and font size.

3. Use good quality paper and print your CV in black ink on white paper. Covering letters should use identical stationery. Email CV's look better in PDF however are more practical in word for employers to adding you to their database.

4. Use positive language and a confident tone.

5. Highlight key skills relevant to the job. Ensure bullet points and headings contain reasonable detail and do not read simply as a checklist.

6. Leave out any irrelevant or negative information.

7. Place information that is relevant and demonstrates suitability for the post nearer the beginning of the CV.

8. Ask someone else to read your CV and provide feedback.

DON'T

1. Bind your CV - it may be copied to a number of departments or scanned to a PC.

2. Lie - this can lead to instant dismissal if discovered. Past employers may reveal a different picture if contacted.

3. Make jokes - not everyone will share your sense of humour.

4. Leave unexplained gaps in your career history – this suggests to the employer you are trying to hide something. State whether you were travelling or taking a career break, for example.

5. Write bland profile or objective sections - statements such as 'highly motivated team player' can be better demonstrated through examples in the body of your CV.