Find useful tips and professional advice on how to write a successful CV, meeting all the current and challenging industry requirements.

Keep in mind that your CV is a marketing tool and not simply a collection of facts. Its purpose is to get you a job interview not the job. These are the general sections by which your CV should be structured. Read the advice section by section, so you can make use of it according to your particular needs.
Personal Information : Make certain that the information is accurate and updated, especially your contact data.

Introduction : This is a chance for you to act like a salesperson and sell yourself in a few lines. You want your CV to stand out in a crowd so avoid irrelevant facts or things that can be found in the main body of the CV. This info won’t get you the job. Use powerful action verbs to describe what you can offer rather than what you have done.

Education : Restrict achievements to your highest education levels. If you have a university degree, it’s not important to mention courses learned in high school. If you have been working for less than a couple of years you should place equal emphasis on university courses relevant to the position and extracurricular roles.

Language Skills : I’ve known more than one person who has exaggerated on this section and subsequently been asked interview questions in that language. If you get busted, you’ll lose the job opportunity, so its better be honest.

Work Experience : List your jobs, starting with the most recent. List the starting and end dates (month/year) for your jobs, which should also include relevant research or volunteer and part-time work. Do not leave out jobs if they fall in the middle of your work career, otherwise it appears like you were not working and this will put off some employers. If you have a gap in your work history, you should briefly explain why. When listing your assignments and tasks, briefly sum up your main responsibilities, and pay particular attention to those that are directly relevant to the position you are applying for. Highlight in bold or by underlining key skills or tasks so that someone skimming your CV will be drawn to them.

Desired Salary Level : Unless you know specifically how much the position is worth, you are advised to simply enter “negotiable”.

Hobbies : HR managers are mixed on the value of including hobbies and activities on your CV. You are best to list such things that have some relevance to the position you are applying for. Avoid listing hobbies that might be viewed as taking up a considerable amount of your time e.g. theatre performances, competitive swimming, etc.

References : You should prepare your reference list but do not include it on your CV. Insert “available upon request” in this section. When they ask, make sure you have it!

Summary of CV hints :

Do not exceed more than two pages
Always use a spell-check and a second set of eyes to review your CV
Use a 12-point font size. Do not use font styles that look like handwriting or italics
Print on white paper
Info should be neat and orderly with a consistent layout (e.g. consistent use of indentations, bullets, etc.)
Keep it simple and direct
Tailor your CV to the particular job you are applying for
Use powerful action verbs to sell yourself (managed, responsible for, implemented, established, etc.)