Cv
When you present an prospective employer with your CV, it is all they have to guide them as to whether you are suitable. It is you on paper in a short, concise version and the aim is to make them want to see the full-sized person in an interview so they can see if their original hunch that you might be the right person they are looking for is right.
Your CV should be set out so it is easy to view. Usually, the basic information such as your name, date of birth, address, marital status, education and qualificationsgoes in short sub headings at the start so already, the reader knows you are, for example, male, aged 38, married, went to local schools then university and got a 2:1 degree in mathematics.
The next thing usually put, again as concisely as possible, is a list of previous employment. This is so the employer gets an idea of your experience. Sometimes, you can simply list the jobs as many industries are similar in roles but if you are applying for a role where you feel one or more of your experiences is particularly relevant, list the things which you did in that role. This is particularly important where you are changing roles because then your new employer may not know what exactly some of your previous titles incorporated.
Don't simply have a standard CV which you churn out time and time again but make sure it is up-=dated - for example, if you have had training or got a new qualification, add this with the issuing body and dates. If you have taken on more responsibilities, add these. Many CVs look tired and dated because they were written several years back and are just churned out en masse for job searches. Good, updated and interesting CVs will get you interviews, make yours stand out from the also-rans and get you the interview and maybe the job.
Be careful about adding things to your CV which are too whacky - if you are a a part time belly dancer or have a healthy interest in keeping pythons that may be something which can come out at a later date as you do not know your would-be employer enough to know if they will be put off by this on paper. Similarly, if you expand too much on a hobby, the employer may sense your prioritise lie elsewhere and not interview you.
If you have a conviction and it is current, do put it with an explanation if one is needed but if convictions have become invalid , remove them from your CV. If you have points on your drivers licence, the same applies, only put things current and relevant, then the reader knows that you have reviewed and tailored the CV to apply for that job.
If you feel some of your experience is particularly relevant to the job you are applying for, whether in or out of work, put this at the end under other interests/achievements. At the same time, don;t go putting on every scout badge or school swimming certificate you ever won or the employer will think you are trying to make more of yourself than is truthful.
Overall, the rules for a CV which will distinguish you are to be honest, concise, expland on relevant points, and keep to 2 pages of A4 in size.Make it legible, check the grammar and punctuation and do not sound too depsarate. Don't forget your CV is also your selling tool, so make the employer realise the great person they might be getting.
