Don’t start your job search without giving due thought to your CV. A strong CV does wonders for your chances of making it to interview stage—and can work wonders for your job search. Here’s how to make sure yours ends up in the ‘yes’ tray:

  1. Keep it brief – usually two pages maximum.
  2. Avoid unnecessary personal detail such as age, religion and sex.
  3. Don’t write in the first person - start sentences with verbs.
  4. List your career history in reverse chronological order. Don’t forget to include a short note to explain any gaps.
  5. Use bullet points for achievements and responsibilities – include more detail on recent roles and less on older ones, unless they are particularly relevant to the job you are applying for.
  6. List educational institutions and qualifications in reverse chronological order.
  7. Include computer skills, language skills and any relevant training.
  8. Keep your hobbies and interest section short.
  9. Referees can be provided on request – you don’t need to include their contact details on your CV.
  10. Check for typos. Even if you think your CV is error-free, it’s worth asking a friend to read it through.