What should your CV include?

Preparation
Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experience. What are your unique selling points and strengths?

If you are replying to a specific job advertisement review what key words and tasks were used in the advertisement. Which of these words applies to you? Use these words in your CV.

Helpful Hints
Remember that you want your CV to be read and responded to. Tempt the recipient. Include just enough information to stimulate interest, but not so much that you bore the reader. Three pages maximum is preferred. Every word must contribute to the overall message - so keep it brief and make sure that the contents are relevant to the job you are looking for now - not your last one.

Ensure your CV is well structured; this gives the impression that you think logically and makes it easier to review. A CV that is hard to read is often put aside and forgotten. When writing the CV remember self opinion is best avoided. Aim to include someone else’s opinion (e.g.: from last appraisal), facts or even evidence.

Pay close attention to reply instructions in advertisements (e.g.: spelling of the contact’s name). Have someone check your spelling and grammar. Use white paper - never coloured as it does not photocopy well.

The First Page
This should contain your personal details (name, address, telephone numbers, education and qualifications) and a brief general overview of your skills, experience and the nature of work sought. If you are seeking temporary or contract work do not forget to include availability and preferred locations.

Pages 2/3
Here you should highlight your employment history in the past five years. Present this in reverse chronological order (i.e. last job first). If you have worked for only one company, break it down with an entry for each position or projects dealt with. For each position held describe the work undertaken, duties and responsibilities.

Do include achievements, not just tasks. If you can, quantify them in sales, financial or production terms.

List your hobbies and interests in no more than three lines if they are relevant. Any voluntary, charity or external posts you have e.g.: school governor are worth including. Avoid listing anything too controversial.

It is recommended that two referees be given - including the referees’ official titles, addresses and telephone numbers.

The ‘Covering’ Letter
CVs are seldom used alone, they should always be introduced by a letter or a telephone call. The letter should earn readership for the CV.

A good letter should be used to pick up points which modesty or space prevented you putting in the CV (i.e. to highlight your key strengths relevant to that job). An introduction letter can save you from having to rewrite the CV each time you want to target your application to a specific advertisement or sector.

Nevertheless keep your CV up to date. Using an out of date CV looks lazy at best and may exclude you from consideration.

Recruitment Consultancies and CV's
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has an important role to play in raising recruitment industry standards through it’s member who must adhere to a Code of Practice. REC members believe that candidates have a right to decide how their details or CV are put forward to clients so have issued the following guidelines about best practice.

Always ask the recruitment consultancy for a copy of the CV they are intending to send to clients on your behalf.

Ask the recruitment consultancy to explain its policy on submitting your CV or details to a prospective employer. Will they always contact you before putting you forward? If you always want to be consulted before your name if put forward for a vacancy, tell the consultancy - but bear in mind that employers often put consultancies under a great deal of time pressure. To avoid missing opportunities you will need to stay in close contact with the consultancy.

If you are happy not to be consulted on each occasion, again tell the consultancy, but make sure you inform them in writing of any companies that you do not wish to receive your CV.

Only allow the consultancy that first contacts you about a specific vacancy to act on your behalf. Multiple submissions by different consultancies can confuse potential employers - they do not multiply your chances of success.

Always ask the recruitment consultancy if it is a REC member. Members of REC commit to complying with Codes aimed at giving you a high standard of service and they are subject to REC complaints and disciplinary procedures.

Ó REC 2003