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First
impressions… |
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On the desk of a potential
employer,
your CV speaks for you. So take the time now to make sure it will say the
right things. It should be clearly presented and easy to
read, avoiding superlatives, clumsy jargon and over-used cliches.
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Avoid making exaggerated claims - be honest but also be
selective, you only want to give information which shows you in a
positive light. Remember that employers may be faced with many CVs, and
their first objective is to filter out all of those applicants who are
unsuitable for the job. How can you ensure that your CV stands out in
the face of stiff competition?
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Opening
Employers need to know your
contact details, date of birth, nationality and
marital status; your availability; whether you are a
driver/car owner; your general state of health; and
whether you are a smoker.
Education and
training |
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List your
qualifications,
beginning with your degree, followed by post-graduate and professional
qualifications.
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You do not need to explain
trivial details of early education and employment. |
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Career
objectives |
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You should briefly give a
description of your career objectives, not more than one or two
sentences.
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Employment
history |
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Your CV should show a
potential
employer your range of experience and your professional development, and
also identify the key skills and responsibilities of each position you
have held. |
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If you are a graduate looking for your first job, you can use
this section to describe your final year project, your areas of interest,
and any positions of responsibility you held within university societies. |
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You
should: |
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List positions held in reverse
chronological order |
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For each position, clearly state
company, job title, dates, responsibilities,
duties, projects and achievements |
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Think about the specific tasks
and challenges of each position and your role in the company or project. |
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Give more detail for your most
recent positions – these will be given far more attention by employers. |
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Account for all your time
– don’t leave gaps |
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Hobbies and
interests |
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Give a brief summary of hobbies
and interests – be selective, they should enhance your image and give
employers a fuller sense of you as a person. |
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Keep personal details
brief and essential. |
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References |
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Put ‘references available upon
request’ at the end of your CV |
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Design and
layout |
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Your CV needs to make the right
visual impression. It should be clear, attractive and stylish and show
a level of professionalism which immediately gives a prospective
employer confidence. Here are a few key points to remember: |
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Your
CV should be no more than two
sides of A4 (except for senior
management level, where three
may be necessary). |
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Use a simple layout that is
easy to navigate, directing employers straight to the important
information. |
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Use a quality paper in
white or cream, and choose a clear typeface (such as Times New
Roman or Arial), font size 12. |
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Bullet points, bold
headings and clever typesetting allow you to present a lot of
information without it seeming crowded. |
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Overall, the design and layout of
your CV should show an employer that you have put time and thought into
it. |
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Final
words… |
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Check your CV for spelling and
grammar!
Or better still, get someone else to check
it. Trivial
spelling and grammar errors make a poor impression, and if you cannot
produce a professional CV you are inviting an employer to question your
overall competence.
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Send your CV
unfolded,
accompanied by a Cover
Letter.
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GOOD LUCK! |
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