Formatting a CV

Although there is no such thing as a 'perfect CV' Delaney Ditchfield Recruitment recommends the following layout of your CV:

Personal Details

Your CV should start with your full name, full address, telephone number, mobile phone number, e-mail address, and marital status.

Personal Profile

This should be a short paragraph describing yourself.

Career History

This should be the main text of your CV. it is the chance to tell your prospective employer what you have been doing in your career.  List your most recent experience first.  First of all, give the name of your employer, job title and dates of employment. Next, write a concise description of what your role involved and what you achieved in the position e.g. targets reached, major contracts won, how you progressed in the company and if you were promoted etc. Remember your CV is your marketing tool, sell yourself!

Professional Memberships/Qualifications

List your professional qualifications, membership of professional associations and professional ID numbers. Start with the most recent or most relevant qualification first.  Be sure to include all relevant information regarding each qualification.

Education

List your qualifications and education history, most recent first e.g.  

BA 2.1: Economic History and Politics                          University of Leicester, 1995 - 1998

A Levels: History [A], English [B], German [C]                                 NWSFG , 1993 - 1995

GCSE’s: 10 A – C Grades including Maths and English                       NWSFG, 1989 - 1993    

Relevant Skills

List any language skills you have, experience of computer software packages e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Sage, ACT and whether you have a clean driving licence. If relevant to your next job please include your typing or shorthand speeds.

Interests

Note down interests or activities where you have shown leadership or organisational skills or those which involve an element of working well in a team.

References

Delaney Ditchfield Recruitment recommends giving the names of two relevant work contacts who can be used as referees.  If needs be, your recruitment consultant will take these names off your CV before sending them onto a client and will write, "references available on request".

For more information please go to 'CV writing hints and tips'