Making your CV work for you
The aim of your CV is to get you an interview with a prospective employer. It needs to present your skills and experience in the best possible light and emphasise your suitability and potential for the job. It is therefore worthwhile spending time on preparing a targeted, effective and error-free document that will immediately impress an employer. Keep it short and simple.

	Your name should always head the CV.
	Include your address and phone numbers – also an e-mail address if you have one.
	Personal information should be kept to a minimum.
	Don't include a summary of personal characteristics.

	Outline any work-related training – but only if it is relevant.
	Include knowledge of any foreign languages.
	Personal information should be kept to a minimum.
	Don't include a summary of personal characteristics.

	List past employment details in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first, always giving the most space to your most recent of current position. Names of past employers, along with dates of appointments (only required to note dates going back 5 years - employment of over 5 years ago do not require dates), and a brief outline of responsibilities are essential, although some employers also like to see a brief description of the companies and summary of their business.
	Don't give the telephone number of your current job unless your boss is aware that you want to leave. And never provide salary information on the CV. If you are asked for this information, include it in your covering letter.
	Always include your specific contributions to each job, listing related responsibilities and achievements with each entry, rather than in a separate section.
	List any affiliation to relevant professional associations.
	Never give reasons for terminating or leaving a job on your CV. It's far easier to discuss this in person.

Keep to a minimum information about hobbies or interests that are not directly related to the position – two or three lines are enough.

	Avoid the phrase "References available on request", since this is self-evident and clutters up the CV.
	Only include referees on your CV if they can be contacted at any time without prior warning.

	Always print the CV on standard A4 plain white or pale coloured paper with matching envelopes.
	Always send a brief customised letter with any CV that you send out.
	Although most recruiters tend not to favour professionally written CVs, presentation is extremely important, so make sure your CV is typed or word processed. Don't have it professionally printed.
	Leave plenty of space between paragraphs and allow adequate margins.
	Use plain English. Avoid professional jargon.
	Keep paragraphs short – preferably no longer than five or six lines.
	Your entire CV should not exceed two pages in length – but if your breadth of experience merits it, you can justify a CV that runs to four pages.
	Don't include the date the CV was prepared – this will shorten its useful life.
	Never state specific objectives. These are more effective when you include them in your covering letter.
	Check that both your CV and covering letter are completely free of errors. Spelling mistakes will definitely detract from your application. Proof read both documents thoroughly - and get a friend to proof read them as well.

	Keep an on-going file of your achievements, no matter how insignificant they may appear – one day they'll make the basis for a good CV.
	Remember to give each of your referees a copy of your CV
	Re-read your CV before any interview – chances are that the interviewer will too, and you must know what's in it.
	Quality and presentation are essential - don't send out grubby, crumpled copies.
	If in doubt, leave it out.