- Remember a CV is a very personal document, it sells you to the employer.
- You should have one CV per job application, tailor made for each role.
- Use the first person.
- Keep your CV to a maximum of 2 pages of A4, only include relevant experience.
- Personal profiles at the head of the CV are useful but keep them brief and relevant to the detail in the CV.
- List your experience in chronological order with most recent position first.
- For each position give the job title, job description, followed by achievements in that role.
- Use bullet points for clarity.
- Use white paper and a regular black font.
- Keep hobbies and interests to minimum, (no-one's interested really!)
- References section, say "Available on request" and have a professional and character reference to provide when required.
- Always prepare for your interview by researching the company as fully as possible.
- Prepare four or five questions to ask about the business and the role.
- Be punctual. If you are not sure where it is do a test run and check parking availability. This will avoid unnecessary stress prior to the interview!
- Dress smartly, if you look good, you'll feel good.
- Give a firm handshake, but not too firm!
- Maintain eye contact as much as possible.
- Smile and sell yourself.
- Remember to LISTEN.
- Don't fidget or waffle... If you can't answer a question be honest and say so.
- At the end of the interview ask what the next step will be, there's nothing more off-putting than a candidate who seems as if they are unsure about whether or not they actually want the job!