Some Advice On How To Create a CV That Will Get You An Interview

If you are looking for a job, you will need a Curriculum Vitae. Most job adverts ask for a CV and covering letter and a CV is vital if you are registering with recruitment agencies.

A CV gives details about you and outlines your skills, experience and education. In essence, it is a marketing tool which markets you to potential employers. It is what recruitment agencies will send out to their database of suitable employers. You may be the ideal candidate for a job but without a polished CV, you will have little success in even getting an interview through recruitment agencies.

Recruitment agencies often offer a CV writing service or will advise you on how to improve your present CV. Take advantage of such services because recruitment agencies are dealing with employers and job seekers every day and know what works. If your recruitment agency does not offer advice, then search online for CV writing tips or ask to look at the CVs of friends who have been successful in getting interviews. Your recruitment agency may have a sample CV for you to look at.

To be able to prepare a CV, you will need to gather together relevant information – exam results, details of other qualifications and training, job history, work performance reviews, job descriptions of past jobs and details of people who are willing to be references. Always keep exam certificates and diplomas in a safe place and don't throw away performance reviews, job descriptions and letters of reference, keep them filed away safely.

A CV is not a letter of application, it is an easy to read document about you which recruitment agencies can easily email or fax to companies on your behalf. It is split into different sections:-

* Personal details – Your full name, address, telephone number and email address.

* Summary of your skills – Summarize your key skills but do not go into detail. You could list them as bullet points.

* The objective – A statement about what kind of position you are looking for.

* Education – List your education, exams and certificates here and any relevant achievements.

* Work history/Experience – List past jobs, the positions you held and your responsibilities. Give the name of the companies you worked for and the length of your period of service.

* Activities and Interests – List hobbies, interests and voluntary work that show you are an interesting person. Leave out any religious or political affiliations unless they are relevant to the job.

* References – Ask a couple of people, past employers are best, to act as referees for you and list their contact details or put that references are available on request.
Remember that if you are looking for different types of jobs or positions, you may want to provide recruitment agencies with a few different CVs which have relevant skills and objectives to that type of position. Make sure that the recruitment agency is clear as to which CV is for which type of position.