CV Advice
CV - your business card

Make sure every part of your CV directly relates to the current job application. Best advise ever heard, if you sold cars and someone told you they wanted a hatchback you wouldn't send them a brochure for 4x4s. Your CV is your sales brochure - each job advertisement is the requirement of a buyer. With the sheer volume of applicants currently vying for positions, if you do not chose to supply a recruiter with the information they are requesting about your skills and experience do not expect them to read between the lines.

How to create an effective CV

• Keep it short - no more than two pages.
• Start with a brief summary showing what makes you different.
• Then list your previous positions, using bullet points to emphasise pertinence to the position you are applying for.
• Do not place your educational and academic achievements before your employment history.
• Include a prospective element in your CV. Say where you are going as well as where you have been.
• Avoid buzzwords and jargon.
• If you include personal information such as marital status, place this at the end.
• Demonstrate your "softer" skills such as communication and people-management through your achievements to date.
• Aim for a clear layout, but avoid distracting graphics.
• Check and double-check spelling. Bad spelling is still commonly found even in senior managers’ CVs.