Writing Your CV

Your Curriculum Vitae is in essence a sales tool which is used for the sole purpose of gaining an interview. Preparing your own CV, however can seem a daunting task. In addition to concerns about what to include it can also be very uncomfortable writing about yourself and your own achievements. In this section we will help you with some basic guidelines and also provide a structure from which to work on your CV.

If you are unsure there is always a consultant at C&D available to advise you.

Some Basic Rules

  • Keep your CV short - Two or three A4 pages will be sufficient. Make use of bullet points where possible and do not use flowery language or talk around the third person.
  • Create an Impact - Your CV should be well structured and easy to read quickly. Remember yours may be one of many CV's being read that day. Ensure the CV is well set out in a logical order, the separate sections are easily indentifiable and the information is easy to read. Don't try to impress by using unnecessary borders, headings and graphics which can make the CV tiring to read. Classy and formal not flashy and over the top.
  • Consistency and Quality are vital ingredients of a successful CV. Use headings, bold text and indents to structure the CV but ensure these are consistent throughout. If you haven't taken the effort to ensure consistent spacings and use of fonts etc then you are sending out the wrong signals to any potential employer. Ensure all spellings and grammar has been checked and corrected accordingly.
  • Be honest - Remember this is an opportunity to sell yourself to potential employers and no time for modesty, however, always be honest about your abilities. Overstating your abilities will only result in wasted time attending failed interviews.
  • Consider your audience - If your CV is in relation to a specific role then amend it to bring out the points which are relevant to the position. If the CV is to an agency or of a speculative nature then include more general details such as the type of roles sought, salary and locations required etc.

Format of the CV

There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a successful CV, however basic format can dramatically enhance the effectiveness of the message you get across. The following structure is a good outline to work from.

Basic Personal Details - This section should include details such as:

  • Name
  • Nationality
  • Date of Birth
  • Address
  • Contact Numbers/email address
  • Work Locations

Education - Include formal and relevant professional qualifications with grades achieved. Start with highest qualifications and/or most relevant.

Technical Summary - For technical positions include an easy to read table of all relevant technical skills. This enables potential clients to quickly assess suitable candidates without wading through work experience details and also makes it far easier to include all skills without oversizing the CV. A software engineer, for example, may want to include a table with details of each skill in the following sections.

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Operating Systems
  • Applications

Employment History - This section should include brief details covering each period of employment and state the employers name, start and end dates, job title and a brief summary of the role, your achievements and responsibilities. Always put in date order with your most recent employment first. If there are any gaps in the employment always try to explain these rather than giving the employer the opportunity to assume the worst. Where necessary explain reasons for leaving a role but don't criticize a previous employer because this can create a bad impression.
Interests/Hobbies - This will give the employer clues as to the sort of person you are and whether you would fit in with their organization. This is also an opportunity to show our ability to work well in a team or alone and to deal with responsibility by referring to any sports/social involvement.

Covering Letters/emails - If sending your CV with a covering letter or email then apply the same standards as you did to writing the CV. A good quality CV can be easily undermined by a sloppy covering letter which may say more about the standards you adopt on a daily basis.