When you are writing a CV, you are communicating with someone who you have probably never met so it is essential that you create a good impression and convey your key strengths, skills and achievements as clearly as possible.

Most HR departments and recruitment functions are busy and will not have time to read every word of your CV. It is therefore advisable that you design your CV with a logical structure that has maximum impact so the recipient can quickly gather the key facts they are looking for.

CV Layout

Here is a logical structure that you could adopt as a template although this is by no means definitive.

• Personal Details including name, contact details, location.
• A short and punchy profile summarising your key strengths, professional focus and experience.
• Career summary (most recent first, providing start and end dates) summarising the role then your responsibilities, followed by your achievements.  This can often be done using bullet points. Keep it accurate, to the point and relevant. If you're in sales ensure that you provide financials such as target vs. actual, deal size etc - if you're a technical consultant or a manager then detail KPI's and projects.
• Education and qualifications, any training and other relevant experience as well as your interests/hobbies.

Don't forget:

• Your CV is a marketing document - it must be designed to sell you in the most effective way to get you an interview.
  
• Concentrate on positive statements and your achievements that add value.
  
• Presentation is important - if it is easy to read, the likelihood is that it will be read.
  
• Target your CV to the opportunity you are applying for - generic ‘one size fits all' statements don't wash.
  
• Speak to our consultants to advise you on what your most marketable skills are - they know where the demand lies, will listen to you, and will help you emphasise your best skills.
  
• Keep the CV relevant - pictures/logo's and family details are not ‘make-or-break' factors, just talking points.
  
• Do not lie or exaggerate, you'll get caught out. However, expanding relevant experience is a must.
  
• Missing years in your history will be viewed with suspicion, and can also give a negative impression immediately, so deal with it in the CV.
  
• Keep it simple and try to avoid unnecessary business speak or technical terminology that won't be understood.
  
• Try and keep it to 2 or maximum 3 pages.
• Work the system - many agencies use software to search through CV's for key words, so use them in both the body of text and your descriptions.

Covering letter

Simply keep it very brief and to the point.  Ensure it advises the recipient of your interest, intentions and provides any details of your availability - save the detail for your CV. Include any specific points but keep it as brief as possible.

Additional points to consider:

• It's easy to spend some time keeping your CV updated, rather than trying to remember what training you did three years ago.
• Through the course of a year at work you will experience new things, and probably go through some training both formal and informal.
  
• Remember, CV writing is easier when you are adding to an existing CV rather than starting from scratch.

Send your CV to us periodically, to keep us updated.