CV Advice

What makes a good CV?

A CV is often the first impression a prospective Employer or Recruitment Agency will receive – therefore it is important that it is a good one!! The dog-eared, tenth generation photocopy will not do!

Remember, your CV may be one of many others sat on the desk waiting to be read – make it quick and easy for the reader to find out relevant information about you. All your CV has got to do is get them interested in you – once you meet them you can use all your sales skills to close them

Whilst there is no such thing as the perfect CV, there are a few golden rules which should be followed:

How should I layout my CV?

• Keep it simple and to the point; two pages of A4 should always suffice, three as a maximum. Avoid the temptation to write essays when bullet points or similar means may work
• Keep the layout simple and uncluttered; using graphics and clip-art may demonstrate your IT know-how but it is a real turn off for the reader.
• Use a simple typeface and a standard font size – remember this CV may be emailed, faxed or posted.
• Print in on good quality white paper (it’s going to need to be photocopied)
• Make sure that you double check your spelling and grammar ("my attention to detail is second too none"
• You may think that you deserve a modelling contract, but do not included photographs unless specifically asked for.

What should it contain? What should I exclude?

• Include full contact details, address, all your phone numbers, email etc
• Include brief details about your personal life (marital status etc) - remember most people will not be interested in the names of your pets!
• Give details about your driving license, including details of bans and endorsements.
• Education and Qualifications – Include the details of the highest levels achieved; if you’re a graduate, it does not matter if you once did a CSE in woodwork. Also the names and addresses of educational establishments may not always be relevant – consider how long ago it was / is it one worth bragging about
• Be specific about Sales training you have received –name names.
• Similarly be very specific about qualifications you have which will be relevant to Employers in Your industry.
• Include details about your entire job history; obviously if you are more experienced give details about the last ten years and merely list the jobs from your early career
• Personal Profile –some people love them, others hate them, you will have to decide for yourself. If you do wish to write one make sure it says something about you which is unique – there are thousands of "energetic, ambitious sales professionals" out there!
• Hobbies and Interests – be brief and honest; they might really do deep sea diving even if you have only watched on TV.
• Reference Details – having these on can speed up the making of an offer. Keep them up to date (particularly phone and mobile no.’s). Make it clear about who can be contacted at what stage. Obviously you do not want your current employer being contacted before you resign!

What should I write?

• For Each job give your Title, main Responsibilities, Name and brief description of the company (not everyone will have heard of Acme Widgets Ltd)
• Briefly describe your main responsibilities, giving examples of what you achieved, how you performed against target etc. Remember it is your successes and achievements that will interest people.
• Give a logical reason for leaving for each job in order to demonstrate clear career progression.

What order should I put it in?

• Name/Address and contact details
• Personal and Driving License Details
• Education and Qualification details
• Career History –giving the most recent job first, remembering to highlight key successes and achievements.
• Hobbies and Interests – you must do something other than "reading and socialising"

• Interview Advice

• Sales Advice

• Closing

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