My recommended CV layout is quite straightforward and most people will find that if they follow this idea they can produce a very good CV that gets results.
All you really want from your CV is that it gets read by the person you send it to. That may be the hiring manager or personnel officer at the firm you're writing to, but if it doesn't get read, you are going no further!
I find that a simple CV layout with your name and contact (address) details at the top followed by a Personal Profile is the best way to get the attention quickly. I've prepared some examples of CV Personal Profiles to help you with some ideas of what to write.
Follow this with just 4 or 5 bullet points that summarize your key skills and you can be sure that the reader will want to know more. When you write your skills bullet points, make sure that they match the requirements of the job for which you are applying. This will confirm to the reader that you are a suitable candidate.
If you are going to write your CV yourself, follow this CV and keep it simple - the more you complicate things by adding too much information, the less likely it is that your CV will get read.
CV Layout begins
My Name
My address1
My address2
My address3
My address4
Telephone & email addressProfile
An enthusiastic and successful sales professional used to delivering excellent customer service and exceeding sales targets through the management of a defined area, and key accounts management.
Key skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise whilst maintaining consistently high standards.
• Proactive and tenacious approach to projects and challenges.
• Adept problem-solver
• Excellent written English, with experience in copy writing and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Computer literate, keen to embrace new technology.
Career Summary (most recent first)
Company Name Limited dates right-hand margin 2001 - Present
Job Title (Also give dates if more than one job for this company)
Define and state the purpose of your job (i.e. Why are you there? Why do they employ you?) At what level or to whom do you report? Add any extra responsibility such as budgets or managing a number of people.
Achievements
• State these in terms of what you actually did or achieved
• Use an active verb in the past tense to show completion
• Quantify numerically wherever possible
• Note prizes or awards made to you personally
• Write these points to show that you actually fulfil the purpose of your job (as above)
Company Name Limited right-hand margin dates 1997 – 2001
Job Title (Also give dates if more than one job for this company)
State the purpose of your job (i.e. Why are you there?) At what level or to whom do you report? Add any extra responsibility such as budgets or managing a number of people.
Achievements as above
Now repeat as above for all the jobs you’ve had but employers are mainly interested in what you’ve done recently, so reduce the amount of information as you go back in time. Only when you’ve completed the above should you add education, qualification and personal details. Do not include hobbies or the names of referees.
Education & Qualifications
OND Business Studies
Maidenhead College of Further Education
3 ‘A’ Levels, General Principles of English Law, English & Economics
RSA Typewriting Intermediate, Advanced (Dist)
7 ‘O’Levels Maidenhead High School for Girls
Software Skills & Training Windows NT, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher). GroupWise, Internet
Personal Details
Date of Birth: 8 August 1954
Status: Married, 2 adult children
Driving: Full clean licence
CV Layout ends
If you copy this fairly simple CV layout you’ll quickly build a CV that demands the right attention and one that gets you results.
If your CV looks anything like this example of how NOT to write a CV, you must do something about it urgently. This example is a BAD CV sent in to me by a real person (edited to conceal the true identity) and if yours is like that, you need my help! Click below to get my professional CV writing services working for you and get a CV to be proud of!
So, if you find you are struggling to get it just right go over to my CV Writing Services page and click the button to get me to write your CV for you.
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