CV Writing

CV WRITING
The purpose of your CV is primarily to market you and your abilities to a prospective employer. Employers want to see a clear, simple CV. It should state what you can do, how effective you will be, and why the employer should talk to you. There is no right or wrong way to present a CV, this document is only a guide to help make sure that you do not miss any of the key sections.
However you present your CV, follow these principles:

	keep it simple and don't clutter it with irrelevant facts, such as too many "I this… and I that…"
	be honest
	make it legible (use a clear typeface no smaller than 11 point), free from errors and duplications
	avoid graphic gimmicks; content and clarity is more important than design. Don't include photographs.
	start points with active verbs such as achieved, gained, learned, responsible for, arranged, etc.
	keep it to two sides of A4 paper.
	Avoid the temptation to be jokey - save this for interviews (if appropriate)

There is no absolute order in which to arrange your CV. Work on the principle that the most important things should come first. For example, if you are just starting your career then put your education & skills first followed by relevant work experience. However a more experienced person will want to emphasise their career achievements and areas of industry expertise.

The usual running order would include:

Personal details
There is no need to put CV at the top. Your name, in a large font is fine. List your address, phone numbers - home, mobile and work (if it is OK to call you there) and email address. If you are not an British citizen include your nationality in case there are any employment / visa issues to be considered. In the event that you are offered employment you will be required to produce documentary proof of your right to work in the UK.

Statement/Objective
This is your opportunity to `sell´ yourself. Make it concise and dynamic. Ensure that your enthusiasm and interest is obvious. State what you are offering as opposed to what you want. If you are looking to move into a new area emphasize your transferable skills and knowledge. Keep it pithy and to the point.

Employment history
Start with your most recent position first. Include full and part-time jobs and work experience. Include start and end dates but do not state your salary. Do try not leave any long gaps in time. If you were not working for a while, state why and what you did during that time. Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements. Keep it brief, try not to use too many. (Imagine you are writing your own job spec. listing your key duties). Quantify statements e.g. exceeded targets by 30%. Remember the SMART acronym, Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic, Timebound.

Skills / Attributes
List relevant software packages and systems that you know how to use. Include in-house systems. Languages should be listed and qualified - bi-lingual, fluent, proficient etc. You should also include personal strengths and attributes such as: communication skills, accuracy, attention to detail, being good under pressure, prioritising. (NB. The above is a guide; you will need to think about what is appropriate for you).

Education
A-Level and degree qualifications should be listed, the grades do not have to be included. There is no need to list all of your O-Level/GCSE subjects `12 GCSE's grades A to C including English & Maths´ is fine. If you are a recent graduate (media or otherwise) avoid the temptation to go into too much detail about your course modules. If the interviewer is interested and wants to know more, they will ask you. Include all relevant work experience and the benefits that you gained from it. Don't make things up in an attempt to make yourself sound more interesting - you'll be caught out!

Interests & Achievements
A brief list of the above along with memberships and qualifications (where appropriate) will give the reader an insight into your personality. Group activities imply that you are a team player and competitive solo activities show determination to achieve aims and targets. Be Honest: you well be asked about specifics, particularly if you list something really unusual.

References
`Available upon request´ is sufficient, but have two ready to provide and make sure that they are ready to be your referee. These should normally be firstly your ex or current employer and secondly someone in a position of authority who has known you for at least five years.

Finally…
The more you put on your CV the more the interviewer will have to ask you about - so be accurate. Get someone else to read through your CV. It is easy to miss some errors however many times you read and spell check it.