CV Dos and Don'ts

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR CV

1 Remember: a CV only has one function: to get you an interview.

2 Your CV will be read in about 20 seconds. Make it immediately interesting.

3 Make your CV detailed, but keep it concise. It isn't your life story. More than three pages is probably too long.

4 Sell yourself on the first sheet, which should stand alone. Start with a profile of who you are, plus your key achievements, followed by a career history in brief. List specific jobs and achievements on page two.

5 Your CV should make claims about who you are and what you can do, and then provide evidence to back up those claims.

6 Translate what you know and can do into terms that will appeal to a recruiter - talk about solving problems, making a difference ...

7 Try to say something interesting about your academic history - relate it to an employer's needs rather than regurgitating the syllabus (e.g. if you led a seminar or gave a talk, write about your facilitation or presentation skills).

8 It's all very well being the best thing since sliced bread. Be measurable: try to express achievements in terms of awards, money, time or percentages.

9 Remember your CV will be screened into a 'YES' or 'NO' pile. Do everything you can to end up in the 'YES' pile.

10 Use good quality white paper. Avoid colour, graphics, special effects.

WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR CV

1 Don't put 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top - put your name and contact details, including email address.

2 Don't include referees or rates of pay, either received or expected!

3 Don't include empty adjectives. Almost everyone is creative, dynamic, enthusiastic. Focus on what you can do well.

4 Don't send out poor photocopies. Print your CV on good quality paper.

5 Don't go into endless detail about every job you've ever held.

6 Don't provide huge amounts of detail about jobs you did more than 10 years ago.

7 Don't put anything down under 'interests' unless (a) it has some relevance to the job or (b) you can talk inspiringly for hours on the subject.

8 Don't put yourself down, try irony or humour. It rarely reads the way you want it to.

9 Don't put anything on the front page that strikes a negative note.

10 Don't include anything that looks incomplete or misleading (e.g. mentioning a degree without mentioning the subject or result).

Career Planning Job Search Solutions Free Stuff Contact Us \\\|// (O O) --oOOo-(_)-oOOo-- The instructions for thinking outside the box are printed on the outside. Want to get out of your box? work with Dianna		with FutureVisions^SM creating sustainable results in growth and performance WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR CV 1 Remember: a CV only has one function: to get you an interview. 2 Your CV will be read in about 20 seconds. Make it immediately interesting. 3 Make your CV detailed, but keep it concise. It isn't your life story. More than three pages is probably too long. 4 Sell yourself on the first sheet, which should stand alone. Start with a profile of who you are, plus your key achievements, followed by a career history in brief. List specific jobs and achievements on page two. 5 Your CV should make claims about who you are and what you can do, and then provide evidence to back up those claims. 6 Translate what you know and can do into terms that will appeal to a recruiter - talk about solving problems, making a difference ... 7 Try to say something interesting about your academic history - relate it to an employer's needs rather than regurgitating the syllabus (e.g. if you led a seminar or gave a talk, write about your facilitation or presentation skills). 8 It's all very well being the best thing since sliced bread. Be measurable: try to express achievements in terms of awards, money, time or percentages. 9 Remember your CV will be screened into a 'YES' or 'NO' pile. Do everything you can to end up in the 'YES' pile. 10 Use good quality white paper. Avoid colour, graphics, special effects. WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR CV 1 Don't put 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top - put your name and contact details, including email address. 2 Don't include referees or rates of pay, either received or expected! 3 Don't include empty adjectives. Almost everyone is creative, dynamic, enthusiastic. Focus on what you can do well. 4 Don't send out poor photocopies. Print your CV on good quality paper. 5 Don't go into endless detail about every job you've ever held. 6 Don't provide huge amounts of detail about jobs you did more than 10 years ago. 7 Don't put anything down under 'interests' unless (a) it has some relevance to the job or (b) you can talk inspiringly for hours on the subject. 8 Don't put yourself down, try irony or humour. It rarely reads the way you want it to. 9 Don't put anything on the front page that strikes a negative note. 10 Don't include anything that looks incomplete or misleading (e.g. mentioning a degree without mentioning the subject or result).
		 For a list of the top 10 mistakes send an email to bs@futurevisions.org with "MWS JobSearch Top 10 Mistakes" in the subject and nothing in the body  For support in your transition, work with Dianna!