Be Concise
When preparing your CV always have in mind: clarity, content, achievement and quality, not quantity.   Bullet points can help achieve the above and it should not be too long (ideally no more than 2 - 3 pages). It is important to remember that you may be one of dozens of applicants and if the CV isn't easy to read then a busy recruiter or line manager may not be able to give it the attention it deserves. Avoid personal characteristics, as they are too disposable in this format; that is to say we can all state, "I am a dynamic problem solver."

Production
For hard copy aim to use the best quality white paper and avoid unusual fonts, graphics, colours, etc. Your CV should be laser printed or of similar quality and it is important to note that the UK employment market frowns upon the inclusion of photographs.

Structure
Personal and contact details first, followed by education and professional qualifications clearly stating relevant grades for degrees and A Levels (especially when high or first time passes!)

The body of your CV should be your career history in reverse chronological order i.e. most recent job first. Ensure that any gaps are fully explained, as readers will assume the worst. More detail should be given to your most recent experience and less to the more distant. Foreign language ability is always a bonus, be clear of your degree of fluency.

Don't assume your reader is fully aware of the nature and size of your organisation it is not always as ubiquitous as you think, it is worth including business activity or sector, how many employees and turnover. Also include a description of your position in the organisational chart, the size of the department you worked in. Who did you report to? How many direct and indirect reports did you have?

It is useful to list your responsibilities and then your achievements and remember bullet points are much easier to read than prose. Be factual.

Salary Disclosure
Do not include your expected remuneration or give details of current package unless asked to do so. It would be better to discuss salary requirements during the interview stage.

Cover Letter
When applying direct to a potential employer it will always pay to revisit your CV to highlight a skill set or experience in line with the specific requirements of the role. The cover letter further gives you the opportunity to bring one or two facts to the fore and make your application stand out. It also gives you the opportunity to mention your reasons for applying which should always be positive. Flexibility in location and salary can also be explained where required.

Errors
Poor presentation and poor grammar can be an indication of many things. The fact is, if your CV has one too many errors then you won't get to meet your potential employer to impress them in the flesh. Make sure that you check and check again for errors and that dates are correct etc. If possible get someone else to read through as it can be easy for us to become blind to our own errors.

To view a sample CV click here