CV Writing – How to Write a CV

A perfect CV layout has 2 objectives: To illustrate your
strengths and maximise your chances of getting through to
interview and to put factual information, such as dates, places,
names together in a presentable and readable form.

Focal Point It is claimed that the human eyes are
naturally drawn to a focal point one third down from the top of
the page. Therefore, put your most useful information in this
area. It might be your Profile, Key Skills, Professional
Qualifications or details of your most recent employment. You
can choose whichever you think is most important and relevant to
your application. Always get a second opinion when you have put
your CV together. It is difficult to be objective about oneself.

Presentation It is often thought that a good CV should
be fitted on to one side of A4 and a professional CV over two.
This can be difficult if you are a mature applicant with a long
employment history. If you need to go on to a second page make
sure that the CV is spread out over 2 whole pages, not one and a
half pages as this looks messy.

As a ‘rule of thumb’ there should be more white than black on a
page to make it easier to read.

Always write a rough draft first. It can be as long as you like
as you will edit it later. Always start with your Career History
as this will highlight your Key Skills and help you write your
Profile.

Once you have compiled your draft copy you must edit it
1. Take out anything that will not help you get where you want
to be 2. Write in the ‘third’ person as much as possible keeping
‘I’ to a minimum

3. Never use the past tense e.g. use “supporting senior
management” rather than “supported senior management”

4. Use short sharp sentences cutting out any waffle and jargon

Headings Name Print your name in bold type at the
centre top of your CV. If there is any doubt as to which is your
surname, e.g. James Martin, indicate by using capitals or
underlining. Address Top left of CV. Full address including post
code. Telephone Top Right of CV. Full dialing code and daytime
and evening numbers if possible. Date of birth Put in full such
as 13th December 1962. Do not put your age. Bearing in mind that
you will be close to the Focal Point now, this might need to go
at the end of the CV under ‘Personal’ along with other details
such as marital status and children. Marital status You do not
have to include this at all. If you choose to, make sure you use
only “married” or “single”. Do not use divorced or co-habiting.
Put at the end of the CV under ‘Personal’. Children Its up to
you whether you include this information or not but if you
include it put it at the end of the CV under

‘Personal’ Profile This is an introductory statement about who
you are and what you have to offer. You should complete this
last although it is positioned prominently in the CV, possibly
in the Focal Point. It should be no more than two sentences and
include the most important facts about yourself. You can include
skills, achievements, responsibility or personal qualities. e.g.
Highly motivated Account Manager with successful direct and
telesales experience in hardware and software industries. Key
Skills Several Key skills should be highlighted after you have
analysed and edited your employment history. Pick out no more
than six. Make sure they are relevant. Do not include dates. A
key skill can come from an earlier job or an outside interest.
If you are short on direct experience and qualifications you may
have skills arising from your personality, i.e. Interpersonal
skills, e.g. “the ability to relate and communicate with
others”. Some examples of descriptive words to use in key skills
are: Administering Implementing Budgeting Leading Reorganising
Forecasting Advising

Employment History Always start with your most recent
employment. Break down your job functions as much as possible.
The job description on your contract might provide a starting
point or, consider how your employer might advertise your job.
You should have more to say about your most recent, and
therefore most relevant, employment. Include successes and
achievements especially if it saved the company money. Don’t
have any employment gaps. If these occur explain them briefly.

Qualifications If you are a mature applicant you can
leave these out as career history is more important. Put the
highest qualification first with year achieved. If you have a
degree you can leave out the lower qualifications altogether or
include the basic information. Do not include poor grades or
failures. Professional qualifications Only include those that
are still current. Training Only include training that is
relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Interests Only include interests that are unusual or
which indicate transferable skills, achievements or
responsibilities. Reasons For Applying This finishes the CV off
with a concluding statement and puts the application into
context. Don’t imply you are out to gain advantage to yourself
such as “I would like to join the company to gain additional
experience”. Instead, concentrate on what you have to offer, “my
experience at……would be useful to the company
because………….”

Finally Your CV should be available soft copy or on good
quality plain white A4 paper. Do not use double sides. Only fold
once and enclose an SAE

E & O E – Copyright 2005
CVwriting.net

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