Targeted Employment Solutions

how to write a CV

What is a CV?

A CV is a tool which should show your skills and experience in the very best light to enable you to get in front of a client for interview. A CV is your mouthpiece before you even open yours at interview! In some circumstances interviews are solely based on your CV so to have a dynamic CV that will grab the attention of a client is critical.

General Points

Your CV should ideally be no more than three pages long if possible and be laid out logically with your most recent assignment first.

Use headings so that the information required is found easily.

Consider having more than one CV. One CV should be a master copy and for every position you apply for tailor your CV accordingly highlighting your most relevant areas of expertise.

Your CV should always reflect a true representation of your skills, experience and qualifications. Do not lie or you will be caught out!

CV Structure:

Personal information should be at the top of your CV including

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone/Mobile
  • Email
  • Date of Birth
Profile
 
Your profile should be no more than a paragraph and it should outline your achievements and goals. This could be tailored or each application.
 
Technical Summary
 
A skills matrix table can be used to outline your experience with each individual technology, I.E
 
Skills
Years Experience
Out of 10
C#
ASP.Net
VB.Net
Windows XP
Active Directory
2
1
0.5
5
5
6
5
3
9
7
 
Work History
 
This should be in reverse chronological order (the most recent job first)

Include the year and month you started and ended each job. For each job in your employment history include your main tasks and responsibilities and out line what technologies you use and how you used them. For example do not just write you worked on a help desk. Write what technologies you supported. Out line your main achievements and how you helped to company.

Interests and hobbies

This is very important as not only do clients look for a skills match up also a personality match and how you will fit in to their current team. You should briefly state personal information such as interests, hobbies, charity work. This gives future employers an insight in to you as a person.