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| Writing a CV |
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| In terms of layout and content of your CV there are no absolutes and it is often down to subjective preference. However, there are certain rules and common sense logic that you will ignore at your peril!
CV should be a maximum of two A4 pages (white paper-to facilitate photocopying)
Don’t leave gaps in your CV –always qualify time out of education and or work. Attempt to be positive and show you did something of value with your time that has given you additional transferable skills.
Education and work experience should be, most recent first. What you are doing now usually has more relevance to a potential employer than something you did a few years ago
| Education: |
Dates. Name of the institution where you studied. Subjects and grades (if good) |
| Work experience |
Dates. Job Title. Name of company (type of activity) Brief description of duties / responsibilities. Emphasis Achievements/ skills/ experience gained. |
When you have compiled your CV ask yourself the following questions.
- Does this document market you effectively?
- More important - does it market you effectively for the specific job you are applying for ? You may need to change certain parts of your CV to highlight the skills and experience that the employer is looking for .
- Does it emphasis your experience, achievements and transferable skills?
- Is your CV clear and concise? If not ,the reader may infer that you are unable to communicate information effectively. Use words that have a positive connotation.
- Is your CV in report style rather than flowery descriptive narrative?
- Does the layout and content make the information about what you are doing, when, how, why, where, absolutely clear?
- What makes your CV stand out from the rest?
- Is your CV positive and upbeat about your self: brimming with transferable skills and achievements? Ask someone who knows you well to give you an honest appraisal of your CV.
- Does the CV achieve its primary objective-convincing the reader they should give you an interview?
- Proof read your CV for spelling errors and syntax. Ask someone to double check for errors.
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