CV Preparation
A moment’s thought goes a long way when writing a CV…think about
why you are writing it. Achievements and experiences you might think are irrelevant
may actually be very important when searching for a new job. Presentation is
important but be aware that many Recruitment Consultancies will have their
own in-house format. Content is key however and the CV needs to be concise
and factual, focusing on key achievements.
There are 4 key sections to think about when
putting together a CV: personal information, academic qualifications,
employment history and interests/additional informaton. These
should be in this order and include:
- Personal Information
- Full name Contact details including address, home
telephone number, mobile number and email address
- Marital Status
- Academic Qualifications
- The chronology of your education including
names and locations of institutions, grades and qualifications
obtained are all necessary. This section should also
include professional qualifications and any language
skills.
- Employment History
- Employment history should always be presented with
the most recent first and should include name of
employer, dates, location and position held. From
this you can then provide further information on
your current position such as:
- Description of the team and
it’s structure
- The size and nature of your
caseload, what it is made up
of
- Client base upon which you
act
- Duties undertaken eg drafting,
client contact, advocacy, supervisory
responsibilities, marketing and
business development
- Billing targets and achievement
- Essentially, remember to provide the most information
on your current role and work your way back. It is
important to not leave out any period of employment
and be prepared to explain any gaps. Whilst a missing
few months here and there may not be important to
you a prospective employer will want the details
and reasons behind it.
- Interests
- Potential employers do like to see the human side
to your personality as well as the professional but
remember to keep it short and sweet. IT Skills etc
can be included here also.
- References
- Typically, there is no real need to provide names
and contact details of referees in an initial application
as references should always be taken after an offer
has been made.
In Summary
Always remember to proofread and spell check your
CV and don’t be too concerned about its length as long
as it provides all the relevant and required information and
isn’t waffle!
If you require further help and advice on
compiling your CV, please do not hesitate to contact one of
our regional consultants. |