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How important is a good CV?

The answer is, VERY.

When you apply for a job, your CV is the main document an employer will read to judge your suitability to do the job that has been advertised. The reality is that it has to STAND OUT amongst the dozens if not hundreds of CVs that will be sent in by other candidates.

The Golden Rules of writing a CV are:-

The first page must quickly gain the interest of whoever is reading it. It should therefore start with a personal profile which is a short pen portrait of who you are, your area of expertise and your experience. HOWEVER, be aware that trying to impress people with eulogies and descriptions of what you regard as your finer qualities are all very well, but employers and recruiters have seen it all before. Better to use facts to impress people. Therefore make the profile short and to the point and then follow it with selected key achievements. These should be short two liners describing what you achieved but not how you did it. The description of how you achieved these things should be saved for an interview. Potential employers are far more interested in how much money you can save or make them than they are in grandiose statements.

This brings us onto another important point which few people are aware of. A CV is written to CREATE INTEREST and not tell the whole story. The objective is to encourage the reader to invite you to an interview. It is at this meeting that you are able to create even more interest by enlarging on the detail within your CV.

The CV alone will not get you a job.

Ideally, a CV should be no longer than three pages in length. Many people are under the mistaken impression that the more you put in, the more likely it is that the reader will find something that will make them want to see you. We can assure you that documents extending to eight, nine or even ten pages , however worthy, will find their way into the waste paper bin long before the reader gets to the last page.

Resist the temptation to put academic achievements and personal details on the front page. These are of little interest to the reader at this stage. Those responsible for recruiting staff tell us that during the course of the ten to fifteen seconds reading the first page of the CV they are only interested in whether or not you should be considered for this particular position.

Academic achievements, personal details etc belong on the back page. Think about the last time you picked up a brochure in a car showroom. The technical detail was on the back page, the glossy photograph was on the front.

The career history should be in reverse order starting with the current or most recent position. Put in the dates you were with that employer, the name of the employer and a SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY. Do not assume that everyone knows the size of the company or the particular market sector in which it operates. This will help the reader to gain a better picture of you and your capabilities. Go on to list your job title, but do not just list your responsibilities. Instead describe your achievements, again telling the reader what you did BUT not how you did it, and quantifying wherever possible.

As an example;

"Whilst managing project X, introduced innovative and new manufacturing techniques which reduced the cost base by 10% "

This is "meat and drink" to a potential employer whose curiosity is immediately aroused. Also in writing the achievements use italics. It helps them stand out more. Do not go back more than fifteen or so years in the career. What you did before that has little relevance to what you do now.

On the last page, list academic achievements, further education, training courses attended and whatever personal details you think are relevant. It is better to be brief and to the point. Again, "chummy" statements such as "I enjoy walking the dog, looking after my daughter's two little ponies and socialising with friends" are all good stuff, but unnecessary. Also avoid mentioning adventure pastimes such as sky diving as this could make employers slightly nervous!

Lastly it is also very important to list a number of ways to contact you i.e. telephone and mobile phone numbers and email address if you have one. Make sure that the numbers are correct and there is an answer service for each number. If the recruitment agency or employer has to act quickly to fill a post and they cannot contact you, they will quickly find someone else.

Information provided by our Career Expert Peter Robson - Click on http://www.careers-advisor.com/