CVs for High Flyers

In seeking employment, you need to market yourself to a prospective employer. Your CV becomes the most powerful tool to do so. In this brief article, I will endeavour to share some important aspects in preparing a CV.

For starters, ensure that your covering letter makes the right impression. Make sure that it is well laid out, clear and easy to read. The paper should be white or cream. Always ensure that the covering letter is personalized, signed and dated.

Once your CV is received by a prospective employer, the challenge is to make sure that the CV is read. Recruiters usually give each CV a quick scan before picking the best for a more thorough reading. Hence, the presentation of your CV is critical.

Keep your CV short and to the point. Concentrate on the points of most interest to a recruiter. The aim of a CV is to get an interview and you only need to include information that is going to help you get that interview. Since you need to keep your CV short, information such as number and ages of children, failed examinations, reasons for leaving jobs, salary details, hobbies and interests (that are not important), place of birth and nationality, should be eliminated.

Start your CV with a powerful selling point, that catches the recruiter's eye. First impressions count and make sure your CV has a strong start. The main section of your CV will almost certainly be career and achievements.

Your CV should end on a high note, so that the reader is left with a positive image. Highlighting some interesting hobbies or languages that you can speak, can be a good way of ending. Work experience needs to be presented comprehensively, in order to make the reader understand your expertise and background. Always quantify achievements, giving evidence supporting the claims you have made. It is important not to leave unexplained gaps in your career history. A suspicious recruiter may wonder whether you were doing something that you want to hide, during that time. If you have had many years of experience with one employer, it is particularly important to stress that you have grown, progressed and gained experience within that organization.

There is some debate about whether a photograph should be included in a CV or not. Basically it is not necessary, since people form opinions about you very quickly from your appearance. Don't send a photograph of yourself, unless you are specially asked to send one.

If a company asks you to complete an application form, don't send a CV instead, as this may lead to you being rejected. When completing an application form you need to decide how to present yourself to the greatest advantage within the format given.

What is the purpose of references in your CV? References enable prospective employers to obtain an independent assessment about your background, experience and character. You need to provide the recruiter with at least two non related references. One reference should be from a previous employer and the other from a lecturer, professor or a person with good standing in society. Please note that relatives should not be given as references. Wherever possible, check beforehand that the person you have named is happy to provide you with a reference.

Remuneration details should not be provided, unless specifically required. There is a risk that the employer may decide that your current salary is too high. If you are asked to give details of your salary, include not only your basic salary, but also brief details of any major benefits that you currently receive. (Company car, bonus, allowances etc.,)

In this brief article, I have provided some guidelines in preparing a CV. Whilst you may explore different formats, do not be afraid to be "creative" since your CV is your best marketing tool for career success.

"A CV is a photograph of a person" (Anonymous)."Make your CV a personal marketing tool" (Anonymous)