We are all aware how vital it is to have the ideal CV, it is, after all, a potential employer's first introduction to you but how do you set about writing it? What information should you make sure it contains and what should you take out? We at AllBournemouthJobs want to help you in maximising your possibility of getting that fantastic so here are tips for making the right first impression.

The Basics

We are all aware it's obvious but a Curriculum Vitae (CV) should on all occasions be typed to give it the greatest ease of read possible. It should also be well presented. Think about how it looks on the page. There should be clear headings and breaks between details. A potential employer will probably look through loads of CVs for a job so they should be able to read the important information at a glance before short listing it for a additional thorough read through. A badly laid out CV which is hard to read will probably end up in the rubbish.

Personal Statement

The majority employers would like a CV to start with a personal statement as it permits them to see straightaway what you are about. What should this contain?

• Who are you and what have you been doing in your career? What have you found enjoyable about previous jobs?


• What do you want to do? Outline 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?

Make sure you give these questions real thought before you come up with an answer as they probable to be questioned at interview. Here's an example of the type of thing could say:

' I am bright, a conscientious worker and passionate about any challenges I take on. My employmentup until now has all been decidedly customerfocused and I find this to be very enjoyable. I have spent the last eight years in a sales environment and I find enjoyable the contact with different types of people this brings. I feel I am intelligent and would like the opportunity to exploit. During my time at G K Estate Agents particularly enjoyed learning lots about the technical and legal avenues of the conveyancing process and felt that I learnt quickly. I am really keen to take on a challenging role with opportunities to progress and train where possible. I am also very IT proficient and thoroughly take pleasure using computers as part of my working life.'

Education

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

Your education should be displayed in reverse order with the most recent education taken at the beginning. It is not necessary to go into extensive detail here, just state where you studied and what grades you were awarded. It is not necessary to put the dates of study if you do not wish to as, under the Age Discrimination Law, you are not obliged to make any reference to your age and this includes dates from which your age may be discerned. Do not forget to include information of any other certificates you might have be awarded which may be important to the position.

Work History

Like education, it should be laid out in reverse order, the most recent or current employment first. You should give the name of the employer and the period of time you were employed (this does not have to be dates but you should indicate for how long you were employed in that role). It is also useful to indicate where the employer was based, e.g. Bournemouth. You should also clearly indicate what your job title was. Underneath explain succinctly what your job role was and your main tasks. This should help a perspective employer decide whether your experience makes you suitable for their position. Try to be succinct and keep it to only relevant information.

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

Other Information

It is common for job seekers to put a small amount of personal information, such as hobbies, on their CV. You should keep this to a minimum. You should, however, state whether you hold a driving licence and whether you own your own car etc.

Employers do not necessarily want to see photos on a CV. For most positions it is unnecessary to include a photo but if you would like to it ought to be passport photo sized and professional in appearance.

Spelling and Punctuation

It is vital that you make sure all spelling and punctuation are correct. Literacy is often highly desirable to employers so use the 'Spell Check' facility 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 role 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 would be important to them (avoid repeating too much from the CV itself).

Each Job is Different

Don't forget that it may not be 'one CV fits all', it's important spending a few moments checking your CV before each occasion you send it to ensure it makes the biggest impact for each particular role. You may want to consider changing some information, particularly your personal statement, to suit the job description.