We are all aware how vital it is to have the ideal CV, it is, after all, a potential employer's first meeting of you but how do you go about writing it? What details should you make sure it contains and what should you leave out? We at AllCornwallJobs want to assist you in maximising your chances of getting that need so here are hints for making the right first impression.

The Basics

We know it's clear but a Curriculum Vitae (CV) should on all occasions be typed to give it the best clarity possible. It should also be excellently presented. Consider how it looks on the page. There should be apparent headings and breaks between paragraphs. A prospective employer will likely look through loads of CVs for a job so they should be able to see the important information immediately before short listing it for a additional thorough read through. A inadequately laid out CV which is hard to read will probably end up in the rubbish.

Personal Statement

Many employers would like a CV to start with a personal statement as it allows them to see straightaway what you are about. What should this include?

• Who are you and what have you been doing in terms of work? What have you found most rewarding about previous jobs?


• What do you want to do? What are your goals?


• How do you intend to go about achieving these goals?


• What are your key skills? What can you bring to a prospective employer?

Ensure you give these questions serious thought before you answer them as they probable to be questioned at interview. Here's an example of the type of thing might say:

' I am clever, hardworking and determined about any challenges I come up against. My careerto date has all been very customerorientated and I find this to be very enjoyable. I have spent the last several years in a sales environment and I find enjoyable the interaction with different sorts of people this brings. I feel I am intelligent and would like the opportunity to use. During my time at Bob Burns Estate Agents particularly enjoyed learning as much as possible about the technical and legal aspects of the conveyancing process and felt that I learnt quickly. I am very much keen to take on a challenging role with opportunities to progress and train where possible. I am also extremely IT proficient and really take pleasure using computers as part of my working life.'

Education

The next section should be your educational history if it is especially relevant to the job to which you are applying. For example, if you have a degree in French and you are applying for a multilingual position then it is useful to state this first. However, if you think that your education is not especially relevant and you are applying on the importance of your experience then it is worth possibly putting your work history first.

Your education should be stated in reverse order with the most recent education undertaken at the beginning. There is no need to go into huge detail here, just state where you studied and what grades you were awarded. It is not vital to put the dates of study if you do not want to as, under the Age Discrimination Act, you are not obliged to make any reference to your age and including dates from which your age may be determined. Do not forget to include information of any additional certificates you might have received which may be relevant to the position.

Work History

Like education, it should be laid out in reverse order, the most recent or current employment at the beginning. You should state the name of the employer and the period of time you worked for them (this does not have to be dates but you should put for how much time you were employed there). It is also important to indicate where the employer was based, e.g. Cornwall. You should also clearly state what your job title was. Under this explain succinctly what your job role was and your main tasks. This should assist a perspective employer determine whether your experience makes you suitable for their position. Try to be succinct and keep it to only relevant information.

It is not advisable to put your salary for each position undertaken on your CV as this can make an employer to make assumptions about your suitability for a position and make negotiating your salary, where applicable, harder. The same can also be said for putting your salary expectation on your CV.

Other Information

It is usual for people to put a small amount of personal information, such as hobbies, on their CV. It is advisable to keep this to a minimum. You should, however, state whether you hold a driving licence and what type of transport you have.

It is not always the case that employers like to see photos on a CV. For most vacancies it is not necessary to include a photo but if you would like to it ought to be passport photo sized and professional looking.

Spelling and Punctuation

It is essential that you make sure all spelling and punctuation are correct. Literacy is often highly valued to employers so use the 'Spell Check' option on your computer.

Second Opinion

Ask a friend or contact to read through your CV. Ask them to double check that it looks presentable and easy to read. You should also ask them to check your spelling and grammar.

Covering Letter

When applying for a opening try to include a covering letter. This should state why you are applying for this job in particular and a small amount about the experience and/or skills you have which could be of value to them (avoid repeating too much from the CV itself).

Each Job is Different

Remember that it may not be 'one CV fits all', it's worth spending a few moments checking your CV before each time you submit it to check it makes the biggest impact for each particular opening. You may want to consider changing some information, particularly your personal statement, to suit the job description.