Your C.V. is of vital importance because it is the document which ultimately decides whether you will be invited for interview and forms a first impression of you. It is, in effect, your opportunity to sell yourself.
When preparing your C.V. remember that the person who will be reading it is likely to have a large number of C.V.s to get through before shortlisting for interview.
You should bear the following guidelines in mind to ensure that your C.V. makes a positive impression:
- The C.V. should be relatively short and easy to read. It should be written in a professional style and be tailored to the position or type of position you are seeking.
- Your academic results should be included along with the details and dates of educational establishments you attended. Academic results omitted from the C.V. are assumed to be poor.
- You should try to keep the C.V. to 2 or, at most, 3 pages long.
- Where possible try to use clear headings and bullet points to make the C.V. easier to read.
- List your full employment history - again, anything omitted will be regarded as deliberate.
- Ensure that there are no gaps in the chronology of your education and employment history.
- If there are any, expect to have to provide an explanation.
- Make mention of your leisure interests as they are viewed as an indicator of your personality.
- Your personal information should include your full name and address, date of birth, all telephone numbers, any e-mail address and any language capability.
- Devote most space in the employment section of the C.V. to your current position.
- Where your current employer is not well known, it is helpful to provide a brief description.
- The basic rule in C.V. preparation should not include any information which cannot be supported at interview - in other words, do not over exaggerate your experience.
- Finally, before sending the C.V. anywhere, check it thoroughly and ask a friend to do the same. Impartial input at this stage could be vital, since it is the C.V.’s first impression that counts.
