How to apply for that Blooming Good job!

Never send a CV without a cover letter!! This will provide you with the ideal opportunity to introduce yourself in a few short paragraphs. The cover letter will be used to briefly outline your skills, qualifications, experience and availability aimed at enticing the employer to read your CV. A good start is to know about the company you're applying to. To be able to compile a targeted cover letter you will need to know about the company, including: their products, history and their culture. Personalising your covering letter in line with the company you're applying to will show your interest in the job.

As with a CV, accentuate on the positive aspects of your experience - do not make any negative comments with regards to past employers/jobs etc. Concentrate on highlighting your main selling points. By attracting the reader's attention in the cover letter you stand an increased chance of having your CV read. Ensure that your CV is up to date, is honest and correct and is informative but concise. If possible, why not rewrite it with the job application in mind?

How do you write a CV?

Your CV is a personal sales-pitch aimed towards securing you an interview. Did you know that the majority of candidates fail early on in the recruitment process because of their CV? It takes too long to read, lists non-essential information and does not reflect their main selling points.

Please find below a few useful pointers for writing a CV:

How many pages should a CV be? Generally, most CVs should be no more than 2-3 pages in length - this can vary within different levels of experience. How do I tackle gaps in employment? At some point, most people will face unemployment, redundancy and various other reasons for gaps in employment. The first (and most important) thing to remember is - DON'T PANIC! If you are going to compile your own CV and you have gaps of a few months in your CV - don't lie; consider listing just the years. You will, however, need to detail specific dates in your application form. Where do I include personal information? A common mistake to make with your CV is to list all your personal information: height, weight, place of birth etc. This information is irrelevant and will take up much-needed room for other, more relevant information. It is a good idea to include your date of birth, nationality, marital status and if you hold a driving licence at the bottom of the CV - not at the top! What makes a good CV? Keep it simple, uncluttered and in an easy-to-read font (on plain white A4 paper) Keep it free from unnecessary details (e.g.: don't write lines upon lines for your interests!) Keep it free from spelling/grammatical errors - maybe ask someone to proof read it Check your personal details - sound obvious but it does happen (wrong phone number etc) If you have a job spec - match your CV to this to ensure you have included relevant skills ...but what should my CV include? Education details - you don't need to include all your qualifications from 10 years ago. State your most recent qualification(s) and briefly cover older, less relevant ones Work experience: most recent first and go backwards Key skills/areas of expertise: such as IT skills or languages Extra-curricular activities if relevant to job being applied for!! It would be ideal to include your mobile telephone number. There is a good chance you could miss a call if not at home. Also, and again, this sounds obvious - make sure you have a professional message on your answer phone - you never know who could call! When emailing your CV, please take your email address into consideration. We regularly see CVs with email addresses along the lines of "lovedoctor@emailaddress.com" or "sexylady123@sillyemail.co.uk" - this will not help present a professional reflection of you. Consider obtaining a free email account from Hotmail or Yahoo and keep job application emails separate from personal email. If you are sending your CV by post, ensure you use an A4 envelope and do not fold your CV - by the time it gets to it's destination it could look a mess. Don't forget - having a CV designed professionally is far more beneficial than compiling your own so contact us today to discuss how we can help. CV writing mistakes: Spelling mistakes: It is a proven fact that around 50% of CVs contain spelling mistakes. This easy mistake will make you seem careless and could also distract the reader's attention from the content. It may be worth considering asking a family member or a friend to read your CV and check for mistakes.

Jargon: When writing your CV you may believe that using industry-specific jargon is a good idea and that the person reading your CV will understand it but using acronyms without explaining them can be confusing to the reader and may deter someone who is not familiar with them.

Qualifications: A common mistake in a CV is to detail all your academic history - even from 10-20 years ago whilst also listing all your grades! This is not necessary. On a graduate CV or someone with limited employment history it may be useful but for others, just briefly cover your qualifications - detail your most recent achievement and list older ones. If you have vast employment experience spanning many years, the chances are a recruiter will not even read your qualifications.

Employment: When compiling your employment history there is no need to provide the address of your employer - all you need is the company name, your job title and the date you started work and finished work with them. The you can talk about your duties and achievements in each position.

Hobbies: Your CV is a personal sales tool. Any available space on a CV is limited and you want to use it to sell your skills and experience effectively. Everyone likes reading, listening to music, keeping fit and socialising with friends, so unless you have done something special - and relevant to the job you are applying for - leave it out!

Too many pages: All too often, employers will receive CVs that are too long! A good CV should be no more than around 2-3 pages (for graduate or more executive positions this may vary). The more there is to read, the less likely it is that all your skills and qualities will be noticed. Try to decipher between what information is relevant to the job you're applying for and what is not.

Unnecessary information: As stressed in the facts above - when compiling your CV, try to keep all the information relevant to the job you are applying for. Unnecessary information will take up much needed space which can otherwise be utilised for other, more important reasons to help persuade the reader to continue with your application.

Another common mistake people make when writing their CV is including their reason behind leaving previous jobs. Examples of these can be, "I got bored" or "I didn't get on with the manager". Obviously, this is not necessary, will make you look negative and will decrease your chances of being included on the shortlist.

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INTRODUCTION

There are as many opinions on the subject of resumes as there are job seekers! Some of the more popular opinions are centered on the use of objectives, summaries, profiles, title headings, keywords, reference statements, personal interests, salary history, dates, graphics, fonts, and of course, the length of the resume.

Then there is the question of format. Should the style of a resume be chronological, functional or combination? One thing is certain - the resume should sell a candidate's strengths and qualifications, and answer a hiring manager's question, "How can you solve my problem?" It should also have full contact information, be organized, and provide specific information that a hiring manager needs to decide whether or not a candidate is well suited for a position. At the very least, it should list relevant experience and achievements.

PURPOSE of A Résumé

A resume is a personal marketing document that communicates your career objective and value to a hiring company. A strong resume is carefully planned and developed (not quickly typed up) in an appropriate format (style) designed to showcase your experience and accomplishments in direct relation to a specific position.

BASIC RESUME FORMATTING RULES

· Bold and enlarge your name at the top.
· Keep the sections lined up and consistent.
· Use an Arial or Times New Roman font (or similar).
· Font size shouldn't be smaller than 11pt or larger than 12pt, except for your Name and Headings.
· Do not include pronouns such as "I," company street addresses, salary, or reasons for leaving.
· Two-page resume: be sure to fill the second page at least halfway down the page.
· Place "Continued" at the bottom of page one, and your name and "Page 2" at the top of page two.
· Use graphics sparingly unless you are in a creative field. It is safe to use a border and shading.
· Leave out personal data, photos, and unrelated hobbies, unless you are an actor/actress or model.
· If you spell out the state in your address, such as New York, spell out the states for your jobs.
· Proof, proof, and proof again!

To help you understand the main differences between various resume styles, the following illustrates the same resume in chronological, functional, and combination formats. Also provided below is a comprehensive list of common mistakes to avoid and useful tips to help your resume to compete in today's competitive workplace:

CHRONOLOGICAL

This is the most commonly used resume format. It is straightforward, and easily traces a candidate's career path and progression in a given field. Experience and accomplishments are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job positioned first. Because it leaves little to the imagination and makes it difficult to hide employment gaps, the chronological resume is the most preferred format of employers and recruiters.

Chronological Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wireless, Inc., Brooklyn, NY 1998 - Present
Sales Representative
· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning the Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
Anderson Doors, Bronx, NY 1993 - 1998
Business Development Manager
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

FUNCTIONAL

This is a skills-based, achievement-oriented format. Experience and accomplishments are listed in sections with specific headings that extract and showcase ONLY what is directly applicable to the targeted position. Because it is somewhat vague sometimes omits dates, it is the least preferred resume format of employers and recruiters.

Functional Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Management
· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning the Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
Market Penetration
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

COMBINATION

This format combines the chronological and functional formats into one! As with the functional format, it lists experience and accomplishments in sections with specific headings directly applicable to the targeted position. However, it lists employment information under a SEPARATE category (only title, company, location, and dates). Since it easily tells the reader how a candidate is qualified for a position while also providing an employment history, it has fast become a favorite resume format amongst many employers and recruiters.

Combination Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Management

· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
Market Penetration
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

WORK HISTORY

Wireless, Inc., Bay Shore, NY 1998 - Present
Sales Representative

Anderson Doors, East Islip, NY 1993 - 1998
Business Development Manager

INTRODUCTION HEADINGS
PROFILE
STATEMENTS
KEYWORDS
TITLE HEADINGS
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Use any one or a combination of these headings to communicate the type of position you are applying for, and the value you will bring to the hiring company at a glance. Remember, a reader spends a brief moment on each resume. Your resume must grab their attention, and hold it!

SAMPLE PROFILE STATEMENT

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets, seeking a Regional Sales Manager position. Bring 15 years of solid experience and select strengths that encompasses sales territory management and key account development. Equally effective at relationship building, program development, and team leadership.
Notice that the actual title "Objective" was omitted, yet mentioned! If you prefer to use the actual "Objective" title, do not use the outdated colon after the category.

SAMPLE PROFILE STATEMENT/KEYWORDS

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong profit gains in highly competitive markets, seeking a Regional Sales Manager position. Strengths encompass:

Capital Sales & Marketing Team Building/Leadership
Key Account Development Client/Vendor Relations
Financial Analysis & Reporting Program Development

SAMPLE TITLE HEADING/PROFILE STATEMENT

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Known for delivering strong and sustainable revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets. Bring 15 years of solid experience and select strengths that encompasses sales territory management, key account development, staff training, team leadership, presentations, and closings.
(Bold, italicize, or underline the Title Heading so it stands out.)

SAMPLE SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong and sustainable revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets. Seeking a Regional Sales Manager position with a leading pharmaceutical company. Select strengths encompass:
· 15 years of cross-industry experience and accomplishments with leading start-up and high-growth bio-medical companies.
· Strategically build and maintain profitable business relationships.
· Strong communicator and team leader with a pulse on ever-changing industry trends.
· Effectively manage the sales cycle process from client consultation to closing.

COMMON MISTAKES, DO'S & DON'TS

· Name and/or address is too small / too big (headings and name should be at least font size 14 to 16; address 11 or 12)
· Font size for entire resume is too small / too big / all caps (not counting the headings, text should be no smaller than 11; no larger than 12)
· Needs an Objective or Title Heading (make it clear to the reader what position you are seeking. If you unsure, consider career counseling or purchase/rent a book on career choices)
· Could use a Summary or Profile statement (show your career overview)
· Objective is weak, cliché, unclear, or vague (State what you can do for the employer; not only what you want from them)
· Resume does not support Objective (be sure to make a connection)
· Lacks accomplishments / career achievements (sell it, don't tell it!)
· Lacks industry-specific terminology / Keywords ("speak" the reader's language)
· Jobs are not in the proper order-see below for more on resume tips and formats
· Sentences are too choppy-five words per bullet (expand; make it interesting)
· Wording is weak; statements are too simple (use action verbs and a thesaurus)
· Same information repeated too many times (use a functional/combination format)
· Too many typos and grammatical errors (read it backwards; have a friend proof-read it!)
· Unrelated jobs go back too far in years (keep it to 7-10 years in most cases)
· Includes too much unrelated information (stay on track; keep the position in mind)
· Does not include enough related information (show how well rounded you are)
· Uses pronouns - "I, He, She, His, Her" (not necessary or is understood)
· Style is outdated looking (headings are underlined and followed by colons ":", the word "duties" is used, and uses "responsibilities:" as subheadings)
· Second page is too short - only a third down or less (condense/combine)
· Second page does not include your name (what if the second page is misplaced?)
· Too much or not enough white space (looks empty, inexperienced)
· Uses the full address for employers (list only the town and state)
· Uses full employment dates such as 12/11/01 (list only the month and year)
· Lists reason for leaving or explains situation (if you must, save it for the letter)
· Includes a Professional References Available Upon Request statement at the bottom of the resume (not wrong, but not necessary. Remember, this is not an option. If the employer wants references, they will ask for them)
· Includes a cover letter / salary information on the resume (use separate sheets)
· Includes unrelated personal interests and hobbies such as "enjoy reading, long walks, music, travel, knitting, and puzzles" (include interests ONLY if it is related to your career Objective)
· Includes personal information such as married, homeowner, two children (Leave off. It is unrelated to the position, and risks possible discrimination)

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 Writing an Objective

A growing trend in new resumes is to give short shrift to or eliminate the "objective" heading altogether. Here are some compelling reasons to include this very important career statement in your resume and a top-10 tips list for writing a memorable one.

Seizing an opportunity to submit as many applications as possible, some job applicants are omitting the traditional objective statement element within their resumes. Rewriting objectives to accommodate every possibility seems challenging, while including over-generalized statements seems to do more harm than good. Nevertheless, when one considers the real purpose of an objective, the inclusion of it appears to be mandatory.

Whether written as "Career Goal", "Objective", or "Position Desired", the time honored first statement is still worthy of its place in a successful resume. When a cover letter cannot be submitted, the objective statement may be the job seeker's only chance to introduce himself. Traditionally, the objective statement has served two purposes. The first obvious purpose is to state clearly for the record, what type of position an applicant desires. Second, this introductory sentence suggests to the potential employer what type of skill set or qualifications the applicant has. A third purpose for an announced career goal, one that is frequently misunderstood or under utilized all together, is the implied employer benefits, or the "what's in it for my company" angle.

Stating your career objective should include a real job title whenever possible. Sentences that skirt concrete job names, such as, "...seeking a position in marketing...", suggests two things to the reader; one, the applicant has no idea about what types of jobs may be available in marketing and two, the applicant is desperate, and willing to take any job. Eagerness is good. Desperation is fatal.

Defining the position desired is much more effective when the company's own job titles are used, such as, "...seeking a Sales Management position..." or "...pursuing an entry-level Public Relations Specialist position...". If you are responding to an advertisement that you have seen, use the terminology in the ad, otherwise, do a little digging. A business's website can be very helpful for locating job title information specific to the company with which you want to apply. Admittedly, it takes a little more effort to customize and rewrite each objective to match a potential employer's need, but the benefits will outweigh the time spent.

Capturing your qualifications in a one or two sentence resume objective can be a challenge, but by using the identified job title combined with a descriptive term such as, "experienced" or "certified", the challenge is easily met. Think about your skill set in broad terms. Are your employment skills developed in areas of administration? In sales? Perhaps you have been employed as a carpenter. Are you skilled in cabinet making or exterior framing? Identifying your general abilities will give you some good leading sentences for your career objective, even in cases where you are looking to change careers. Consider the following examples:

Recent high school graduate, previously employed in fast-food service industry, and aiming for a new position --

Dependable and enthusiastic student with experience in sales and public contact seeking opportunity as a Market Researcher Level I.

Experienced specialty carpenter seeking a supervisor title --

Desire to obtain a Carpenter Shop Foreman position utilizing extensive trade skills and experience in the theatrical and special events industries.

Finally, when writing a career objective, resume writers should consider the potential employer's point of view. In a competitive job market, where hiring personnel sit behind stacks of non-descript resumes, the inclusion of a little "self-promotion" is critical. Ask yourself, "what do I have that this company wants?". Is it doing whatever it takes to get the job done? Is it attention to detail? Then write, "dedicated" or "quality-conscious". Consider terms that describe your work habits while offering something positive for the employer.

Composing a good resume requires focused time and effort. Never try to hurry the process by leaving out the who, what, and why of your employment search. By utilizing the following top-10 tips list as a guide for developing your objective statement, you will be well on your way to creating your own job winning resume.

The Top-10 Tips List for Writing a Winning Objective Statement:

1. Choose two adjectives to describe your work style such as, "Dependable and conscientious student seeking..." or
   "Detail oriented and quality conscious accounting clerk..."
   
2. Inform your potential employer of "what is in it for them", such as, "...seeking to utilize 10+ years experience in the industry..." or "...proven sales record..."
   
3. One sentence is good, but making sense is better! If warranted, two sentences or in some cases a short paragraph will improve an objective statement.
   
4. If you know the job title for which you are applying, use it. There is nothing to be gained in trying to define a new position for yourself.
   
5. If you have read the job description in an advertisement, try to mirror one or two of the words listed. For instance, if the job announcement has indicated a desire for a self-starter, then experiment with using the same term or one with the same meaning, such as in this case, "self-motivated" or "self-directed".
   
6. As always, grammar and spelling count! It is expected that resumes will have short sentence fragments, abbreviations, and little punctuation, but your career objective should be written without error. Proofread!
   
7. Avoid being too general in your statement. It is better to do a little research with the company and uncover some of what they may be looking for than to write an over-generalized objective that essentially says nothing to the employer.
   
8. Ambition is nice, but statements such as "work my way up to..." will impress no one and may undercut your credibility.
   
9. If possible, experiment with writing an objective without the use of the word, "I". It can be done! "I", is more appropriately used in a cover letter. Using "I" and "my" too frequently may loose a recruiter whose context and focus is on what the company can gain from a new hire.
   
10. Do not promise more than you can deliver! If you are chronically late, then describing yourself as punctual will only undermine your credibility later when it is discovered that you have misrepresented yourself.

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Going up against identity thieves is like playing a very intense game of chess. A player makes a move, but not before thinking of the opponent's potential moves. It resembles an intense game of cat and mouse, where there can be only one winner.

Avoiding identity theft with outdated technologies can make even the most passive jobseeker cringe with fear. Technology isn't the only cause, however. Companies that once monitored employees for stealing and padding timecards are now charged with observing the personal information of clients from their own employees. Add international outsourcing to the mix, and we have the potential mix for disaster.

What does all this have to do with your job-search? Conducting a job search using the Internet has definitely transformed how jobseekers contact hiring companies. The availability of copying and pasting a text version resume into a form at a company's website has laid the foundation for an easier and more convenient process. No longer does a jobseeker need to spend hours with the traditional method of printing and mailing his resume to countless recipients.

With the Internet's convenience, a breeding ground for scam artists continues to grow each year as well. Identity thefts have increased to an overwhelming 10 million cases per year, and many of them are the result of phishing — not surprisingly, the employment industry is under attack as well.

Phishing is an attempt to extract personal information through what appears to be authentic emails. If you are job searching, an email from a seemingly interested recruiter, for example, may not raise a red flag with you. You may think that the contact person and company listed are legitimate, yet looks can be deceiving. Knowing what to look for and how to spot fraud (or potential areas for abuse) can be the best deterrent to ensuring you have a safe experience while conducting your job search.

First, be leery of out-of-the-blue employment inquiries. Scammers and spammers follow the same patterns. Mass emails are sent to an enormous list of recipients. Not everyone on the "hit list" is searching for a new job; however, only a small number of people need to be convinced, or tricked into believing, the email is authentic in order for the scam to be deemed successful. Ask yourself a series of questions: Did you send your resume to this company? Visit the company's website (type the web address into your browser, avoid clicking the link in the email); upon further examination, are they reputable? How did they hear about you? Call the company if necessary. Always proceed with caution when you receive a cold-contact email from someone.

Second, avoid responding to requests for personal information, such as a social security or credit card number. Let's say you receive an email from what appears to be a well-known job bank. The email states that your account needs your contact and payment information to be updated in order for service renewal. You click on the link and you're taken to a page that looks, feels, and "smells" right. You proceed by submitting the requested information.

The link appeared safe, but you were taken to a site designed to defraud you. Reputable companies will rarely ask for personal information via email so examine every incoming email for validity.

Third, when purchasing from an online business, ensure information is encrypted upon hitting submit. Encryption, in short, ensures the private information you submit online is kept safe. When at your browser, you can recognize an encrypted form when the root URL starts with "https:" instead of "http:" or seeing the padlock present in the bottom right corner of your screen. Purchasing from companies having added security measures in place can ensure your private information avoids the hands of ill-willed people.

Fourth, read and understand the privacy policy of sites you patron. The Better Business Bureau possesses a strict policy for members who do business online. A privacy statement must be displayed on the company's website, no exceptions. High business practices are a necessity for maintaining the trust of online buyers; and the BBB understands the critical importance of trust among consumers.

A privacy statement outlines what type of customer information is collected and how it's used. Alliances and partnerships, for example, arrange for Company A to sell or pass on client information to Company B. The information transferred or sold could be basic, like name and email address, or far more in-depth like name, address, social security number, and phone number. No matter how basic or detailed the information, the company must have the logistics spelled out in their privacy policy.

Last, studies have shown that an estimated 80% of online fraud goes unreported. Go "against the grain" and fall into the minority of 20%. If the proper authorities aren't aware of the magnitude of fraud that actually exists on the Internet, then getting the much-needed funds to battle the problem will take more time. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (ifccfbi.gov) has an online complaint feature for individuals to report phishing attacks. The IFCC report process requires basic information, including information on the perpetrator and type of fraud.

In addition to filing a complaint, forward the fraudulent email to the legitimate company. Phishing is smearing the good names of countless companies, and notifying the company about the scam can also help the fight. Companies brought onboard will ensure well-rounded efforts to this epidemic.

Avoid giving your information out freely. Whether you're at the end of a phishing attack or the job application requires more information than you're willing to provide, proceed with caution. Much like you'll analyze job opportunities; intensely examine each person who receives your personal information. With safe online practices, you'll get the best return from your job-search efforts — instead of spending hours filing a police report and calling credit bureaus and credit card companies.

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Important Points When Writing an English CV

The purpose of an English CV is to sell yourself: An English CV is seen as an opportunity to sell yourself and should emphasise your skills, experiences and achievements. You should include successes and wherever possible include facts and figures to support your claims. Do NOT include information that is negative.

Spelling and Grammar Check: Correct spelling and grammar are of absolute importance in an English CV. Employers will NOT tolerate any mistakes. It is very important that a native English speaker checks your CV before you send it to an English-speaking employer.

CVwriting.net can provide a full spelling and grammar check and suggest any changes to the content of your CV in line with what employers expect.

Do not include a photo: Most English employers do NOT like to see a photo on the CV and, in fact, including one could work against you. Only include a photo if it has been specifically requested for a particular job application.

English Language skills: This is a very important aspect of your CV and your professional career. You must explain your knowledge of the English language under the 'Skills' heading. Describe your level of knowledge as one of the following:

· Bilingual - You can speak English as well as your mother tongue

· Fluent - You have a complete working knowledge of the English language, both written and speaking.

· Working knowledge- you have a good practical knowledge of English for professional purposes.

· Conversational - You can converse adequately in English with good comprehension.

English CV Format:

Your name, address, telephone number and email address should appear at the top of your English CV. Always use a capital letter at the beginning of a name including the name of a street, town or country. Do NOT put CV or Curriculum Vitae as a heading.

Your CV should be produced on a word processor, not hand written, and be available softcopy as a Word or PDF file. If you are printing your CV you should use good quality paper.

An employer will scan your CV in thirty seconds looking for keywords that are relevant to the vacancy he is trying to fill. Keep your CV short and concise so that your positive attributes stand out. Your CV should be no more than two pages long.

Do NOT use initials for company names or qualifications, as these could be meaningless to an English employer. Always write the words in full.

Headings:

1. Profile: This is an opportunity to summarise the skills and experience you have described elsewhere in your CV. It is the first part of the CV that the employer will read. It should be only one or two paragraphs long otherwise the reader may not go on to read the rest of your CV. You should also include your career aspirations.

2. Achievements: list any special achievements from your career history or education that may make you stand out from other candidates. List no more than six.

3. Career History: This is a very important part of your CV. The most common CV format is written in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent employment and work backwards. List the dates between which you worked for each employer; the name of the employer, your position and the location at which you worked. Write a short description of the company and then describe your responsibilities including facts and figures as much as possible.

4. Skills: In an English CV it is necessary to list particular technical, professional or other skills separate from your career history. An English employer will not necessarily be familiar with non-English professional qualifications therefore you must explain each one.

5. Education: You must enter your highest qualification first, then where achieved, and then dates. Make sure you explain any non-English qualifications or try and put the English equivalent, e.g. Baccalaureate, French equivalent to the Higher Leaving Certificate and A levels. Do not include grades unless they are particularly impressive.

6. Personal details: It is not necessary to include all of your personal details on an English CV as your skills and experience are of paramount importance. However, you need to include your nationality and it is normal to include your Date of Birth such as: 11th November 1967. Do not put your age.

7. Interests. You do not have to include your interests on an English CV but they will help to give the employer a rounded picture of you as an individual.

Signature: It is not necessary to personally sign your English CV.

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