What if I'm short on experience?

• Apart from the obvious route of re-training, identifying the skill sets you have can compensate for the lack of experience. Think about the skills you have utilised throughout your career and how closely they match the job criteria. Skills are always transferable, no matter in what capacity you have used them before, eg within work, study time etc
  

How should I order the information?

• There is no longer a set format for CVs. If you have great work experience but terrible grades, then put your education last. If you achieved a first class honours degree at university but have been unemployed since, then put your education first
  Kiddy and Partners Ltd

Can I use a one-size-fits-all CV?

• Generally no, as it is important that you tailor the content of your CV to suit the vacancy. This may be difficult if you have limited PC access, and it will take some forward planning to decipher a more general target job criteria. With the use of subheadings in a functional CV, you can highlight two or three key areas of expertise.
  
• Tailor your CV with each application. Many candidates fall at the first hurdle because they produce a standard CV and only tailor the covering letter. But the best candidates will change the language on the CV itself to better suit the job requirements
  Kiddy and Partners Ltd
• CVs should be specifically tailored to each job application. Highlight features and achievements which are directly relevant to the post that you're applying for
  SSR-Personnel

On what aspects of my work should I focus?

• Focus on what you have achieved, not just what you've done. Where possible, quantify any achievements you state. Employers can only afford to interview the best, and simply repeating previous job descriptions is not likely to impress
• Think about your behavioural skills. Many people write words like 'conscientious', 'affable', 'personable' and 'highly-motivated', without adding any context. When you say you are 'highly creative', describe something you've done that exemplified your creativity at its best. Then write down your best example and incorporate it into your CV
  Winning CVs
• Think of the benefits that you have delivered to your various employers. Rather than just saying, for example, "I worked on spreadsheets", say "I built spreadsheets that helped the team to identify cost savings to the business". Think about time or costs saved, revenue generated, efficiency gained, etc
  Kiddy and Partners Ltd

Should I use a chronological or a functional CV?

• A chronological CV is particularly appropriate where it is being used to obtain an interview for a similar job. For others looking to change direction in their career or wanting to emphasise their achievements and skills above their employment details, a functional CV can be more appropriate.

How should the CV be presented?

• Keep it simple - avoid borders, fancy font types and pictures
• Don't bind your CV
• Using a dark blue font as opposed to the normal black has been a successful tactic for many candidates. It looks very professional, particularly when printed on cream paper
  Susan Ford Recruitment