Preparing your CV

The Sheridan Guide for Candidates

Until your interview you are only as good as your paperwork and perhaps telephone manner. This makes your CV and covering letter crucial. They are essential tools in most job searches. Like any marketing document a CV should help you to sell yourself.

What should your CV include?

Preparation

Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experiences. What are your unique selling points and strengths?

If you are replying to a specific job advertisement review what key words and tasks were used in the advertisement. Which of these words applies to you? Use these words on your CV.

Helpful Hints

Remember that you want your CV to be read and responded to. Tempt the recipient. Include just enough information to stimulate interest, but not so much that you bore the reader. Three pages maximum is preferred. Every word must contribute to the overall message - so keep it brief and make sure that the contents are relevant to the job you are looking for now - not your last one.

Ensure your CV is well structured; this gives the impression that you think logically and makes it easier to review. A CV that is hard to read is often put aside and forgotten. When writing the CV remember self opinion is best avoided. Aim to include someone else's opinion (e.g.: from last appraisal), facts or even evidence.

Pay close attention to reply instructions in advertisements (e.g.: spelling of the contact's name). Have someone check your spelling and grammar. Use white paper - never coloured as it does not photocopy well.

The First Page

This should contain your personal details (name, address, telephone numbers, education and qualifications) and a brief general overview of your skills, experience and the nature of work sought. If you are seeking temporary or contract work do not forget to include availability and preferred locations.

Pages Two/Three

Here you should highlight your employment history in the past 5 years. Present this in reverse chronological order (i.e.. last job first). If you have worked for only one company, break it down with an entry for each position or projects dealt with. For each position held describe the work undertaken, duties and responsibilities.

Do include achievements, not just task. If you can, quantify them in sales, financial or production terms.

List your hobbies and interests in no more than three lines if they are relevant. Any voluntary, charity or external posts you have e.g.: school governor are worth including. Avoid listing anything too controversial.

It is recommended that two referees be given - including the referees' official titles, addresses and telephone numbers.

The 'Covering' Letter

CVs are seldom used alone, they should always be introduced by a letter or a telephone call. The letter should earn readership for the CV.

A good letter should be used to pick up points which modesty or space prevented you from putting in the CV (i.e. to highlight your key strengths relevant to that job). An introduction letter can save you from having to rewrite the CV each time you want to target your application to a specific advertisement or sector.

Nevertheless keep your CV up to date. Using an out of date CV looks lazy at best and may exclude you from consideration.

Recruitment Consultancies

Always ask the recruitment consultancy for a copy of the CV they are intending to send to clients on your behalf.

You should also ask the recruitment consultancy to explain its policy on submitting your CV or details to a prospective employee. Will they always contact you before putting you forward? If you always want to be consulted before your name is put forward for a vacancy, tell the consultancy - but bear in mind that employers often put consultancies under a great deal of time pressure. To avoid missing opportunities you will need to stay in close contact with the consultancy.

If you are happy not to be consulted on each occasion, again tell the consultancy, but make sure you inform them in writing of any companies that you do not wish to receive your CV.

Only allow the consultancy that first contacts you about a specific vacancy to act on your behalf. Multiple submissions by different consultancies can confuse potential employers - they do not multiply your chances of success.