Your CV
A C.V. is an essential tool when looking for a job. It is a constant source of surprise to Concept Staffing recruitment consultants of the poor overall quality of the CVs that they receive. Presentation must inspire the viewer to read on.
A well-designed C.V. has impact, is factual and brief. The idea is to paint an attractive and accurate portrait of your abilities, achievements and interests. It must portray you in a favourable and desirable way, be neat in both content and layout. It should be short, preferably restricted to a maximum of 3 pages, be positive and elaborate on your main responsibilities.
There are a number of basic "DO'S" and "DONT'S":-
DO:-
- Use good quality, matching paper.
- Restrict your CV to a maximum of 3 pages.
- Start your career history with your most recent employment.
- Use at-a-glance headings and leave enough white space to make the presentation easy on the eye.
- Restrict yourself to a maximum of 5 points under each heading.
- List your achievements: successful management decision, strategies implemented, special projects handled etc.
- Use bullet points to highlight facts.
- Double-check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Preferably let someone else check your final C.V
- Re-read and re-check it thoroughly every time before use, updating positions, qualifications if necessary
- Wherever possible, tailor the CV to the position applied.
DON'T:-
- Be too verbose; keep the reader interested.
- Expand on why you are leaving your present job.
- List your school qualifications in too much detail.
- Leave career gaps unanswered. If you spent a period travelling, then say so.
- Mention irrelevant personal circumstances
To ensure that you stand the best chance of being selected for interview, talk to your Concept Staffing recruitment consultant, who has the experience necessary to help you present your details in the best possible light.
Download - Example CV (word) - Example Cover Letter (word)