by Glenn Hughes

A recruiter looking through a pile of CVs needs to see information in a certain way. In the same way, when we look at a menu in a restaurant, we expect to see starters, main courses, desserts and beverages laid out in a particular way. Failure to meet the readers expectations leads to confusion. Most people will put that CV straight into the “no” pile rather than waste their time trying to pick out information that should have been readily available

Your first and second name should sit prominently at the top of your CV. There is no need for second (or more) names to be added). Leave it as plain and simple as you can and avoid pretense at all costs. A shortened version of your Christian name is increasingly acceptable, for example, Fred not Frederick is very normal nowadays. Using the name with which you answer the telephone will be fine

Include your full, correct postal address along with post code or zip code as appropriate. Landline numbers are always a good idea. Personally, I would always include a home telephone number as well as a mobile number. If you don’t have a mobile yet, consider purchasing a cheap pay as you go mobile phone- it will definitely be worth it for you

Being able to see if your CV fits with the needs of the recruiter is very important. A brief paragraph at the top of your CV, called a career statement or personal profile should do the trick. Show how you can help a business, in what industry sector, what geographical area, at what level, and what track record can you point to with which to support your application. Basically, this should entice the recruiter to read more

Working from your most recent work achievements and moving backward, you need to pick out key achievements for which you have been personally responsible. Focus on achievements and not responsibilities. Nobody takes anyone on for those reasons alone. You really need to quietly sell yourself in this, the most important section of the CV. Make sure you are telling the truth as well- you may be called on to back up these claims with factual evidence at the interview or at some later date

Please remember that academic qualifications are gained through academic institutions like schools, colleges, etc. They are different from professional qualifications and should be separated out from those qualifications in a section of the CV of their own. Starting with the highest level of qualification, itemize all your qualifications, in the order: qualification, institute, date(s)

There is some confusion about professional qualifications- people think that all qualifications are the same, whether they are academic (gained through educational institutions) or professional. Professional qualifications are usually gained through a company, service provider or perhaps an individual. Make sure they are listed in order of level of importance. This can be a little subjective but try and put the most important/ most relevant first given the type of job for which you are applying

Hobbies, interests, driving license, age, etc. This should be one of the very last things to be written on your CV. Make sure that this information is factual, and do not put your actual date of birth into the CV as you never know where the CV will end up- identity theft is a very real issue and you should protect information like your date of birth. You don’t actually need to put your age on at all if you don’t want to- leave it out

About the Author:
About the author: Glenn Hughes is one of a team of professional cv writers that offer professional cv writing services to job seekers all across the world.