We know how imperative 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 include and what should you leave out? We at AllDevonJobs want to aid you in maximising your possibility of getting that desire so here are hints 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 appears on the page. There should be apparent headings and breaks between sections. A prospective employer will is likely to look through loads of CVs for a job so they should be able to see the important information straightaway before short listing it for a additional thorough read through. A shoddily laid out CV which is complicated to read will probably end up in the rubbish.

Personal Statement

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

• Who are you and what have you been doing work wise? What have you enjoyed about previous jobs?


• What do you want to do? List your Goals?


• How are you going to go about achieving these goals?


• What are your key skills? What can you bring to a prospective employer?

Ensure you give these questions real thought before you come up with an answer as they should be expected to be questioned at interview. Here's an example of the type of thing might say:

' I am bright, a conscientious worker and serious about any challenges I come up against. My employmentto date has all been very customerfacing and I find this to be very enjoyable. I have spent the last four years in a sales environment and I enjoy the contact with different sorts of people this brings. I feel I am intelligent and would like the chance to explore. During my time at Bob Burns Estate Agents really enjoyed learning as much as possible about the procedural and legal aspects of the conveyancing process and feel that I learnt quickly. I am really keen to take on a challenging role with opportunities to advance and train where possible. I am also extremely IT literate and thoroughly enjoy using computers as part of my working life.'

Education

The next section should be your education if it is particularly 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 feel your education is not especially relevant and you are applying on the importance of your experience then it is worth possibly putting your work history first.

Your education should be put in reverse order with the most recent education received at the top. It is not necessary to go into huge detail here, simply state where you studied and what grades you achieved. It is not essential to put the dates of study if you do not want to as, under the Age Discrimination Law, you are not obliged to make any reference to your age and including dates from which your age may be obvious. Do not forget to include information of any extra certificates you might have received which may be relevant to the position.

Work History

Like education, it must be laid out in reverse order, the most recent or current employment at the beginning. You should state the name of the organisation and the period of time you were employed (this need not be dates but you should state for how long you were employed there). It is also important to indicate where the employer was based, e.g. Devon. You should also clearly indicate what your job title was. Underneath explain briefly what your job role was and your main tasks. This should aid a perspective employer determine 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 employment undertaken on your CV as this can make an employer to make assumptions about your suitability for a role and make negotiating your salary, where applicable, more difficult. Similarly the same could also be said for putting your salary expectation on your CV.

Other Information

It is usual for people to put a little bit of personal information, such as hobbies, on their CV. You should keep this to a minimum. You should, however, state whether you have a driving licence and whether you own your own car etc.

It is not always the case that employers like to see photos on a CV. For most roles it is unnecessary to include a photo but if you wish to it should be passport photo sized and professional in appearance.

Spelling and Punctuation

It is vital that you ensure all spelling and punctuation are perfect. Literacy is often highly valued to employers so use the 'Spell Check' function on your computer.

Second Opinion

Ask someone to read through your CV. Ask them to confirm 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 vacancy try to include a covering letter. This should state why you are applying for this job in particular and a little bit about the experience and/or skills you have which would be significant to them (avoid repeating too much from the CV itself).

Each Job is Different

Remember that it is not necessarily 'one CV fits all', it is worth spending a few moments checking your CV before each occasion you submit it to ensure it makes the biggest impact for each particular position. You may want to consider changing some information, particularly your personal statement, to suit the job description.