CV Layout: The following are the sections that should be displayed in your CV, typically in the order suggested although some variations can be incorporated, these are mentioned later in this article series, for now study the following guidelines :

CURRICULUM VITAE

James Smith
78 James Street, Smithville, JS2 9SJ
Tel no: 1111111111, Mobile: 222222222
Email: jamessmith@jamessmith.co.uk

Some Criteria before you start

- Here are some vital points that you should keep in mind as you construct and send out your CV.
- Your CV should never be more than 3 pages long. If you have just left school or university it shouldn't be any longer than 2 pages.
- Write your CV on quality paper. Don't get watermarked paper because most CVs get photocopied and a watermark will not show up on a photocopy.
- Don't send a photo copy of your CV.
- Make sure that it is free of coffee stains and the paper is straight.
- Don't fold your CV. Get an A4 size envelope to put it in even if you are handing it in personally.
- Post it first class. Second class gives the impression that you are only mildly interested in getting a job - that the job is a second priority to you.
- Your CV has to be typed, not hand written.
- Don't use abbreviations in your CV, the person that reads it may not understand what you are talking about and you risk your CV being put in the bin.
- Don't include funny little pictures, or quirky little symbols it isn't a party invitation.
- Don't lie on your CV. You will only be found out. If not at the interview then once you have started your new job, and you risk being fired. You don't want that on your next CV. Make yourself look as good as possible but you don't need to lie to do that.

Career Objectives

Stating career objectives in your CV gives it the required seriousness and shows you as being a focused and solved person. A career statement if written well can act as a focal point from which the employer analyses your CV. Put your career objectives or a career statement right after stating your name and contact details.

Your career objectives/statement should reflect what you intend to do with your career now and in the future.

It will give the employer an indication about your career aspirations and level of ambition and commitment to the job. However, the employers want to know what you can do for them, and not what you want from them. So make sure you keep that in mind while forming it.

For the format, you can choose to make a box around it if you want to highlight it; if that is your intention then go for it!

Here is an example of a career statement where our fictitious job hunter James Smith is looking to get an IT Project Manager's role for a high profile company.

James Smith is a highly motivated and ambitious manager with a thorough knowledge of IT systems that has been built up over a successful 23 year period. A thorough and proven professional, James is hard working, determined and is looking for a fresh challenge that will stretch him. James has managed and delivered several large projects including a European expansion programme where James was responsible for a budget in excess of '$20 million.

Work History

Your work history should have a brief but precise background about where you come from. This section is dedicated to the jobs you have had in the past and the one you have now if applicable. Make sure you put your work history before your formal qualifications, if you are currently working. If you just finished studying, you should put formal qualifications first.

From the list you made earlier with all your past jobs, make a list in reverse chronological order. Specify dates, job title/position and company name. Also, provide a brief write up about your job profile, also try and incorporate your responsibilities and achievements. Look at specific examples mentioned below.

Put the date first, then the name of the company you worked for followed by your job title in bold, as follows:

01-09-date Company name Sales & Marketing Executive

After this, lay down a brief overview of your job profile and details about the responsibilities. You can put this in bulleted look to give the CV a sharp look.

Main Duties & Responsibilities 'this is effectively the main points from your job description'
- To maximise industry sponsorship and advertising sales for company name products and services for industry and other suppliers
- Etc.

Now list down your achievements for the particular job, also in bulleted form, as follows:

Achievements
- Increased sponsorship and funding levels by 10% over a one year period
- Etc.

Put though specific and related achievements, in sync with your core responsibilities. This will show how you evolved in the organization and how it benefited the organization. This is an opportunity to show your prospective employer what you are capable of and all the success you have achieved. Too many CV's focus on what you are responsible for rather than what you have achieved. Make sure the onus in your CV is on the latter. Employers want to see evidence that you have done a good job in the past, and this is where you lay it out for them to see.

So the work history will look like this:

DATE COMPANY NAME IT PROJECT MANAGER

Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Main duty 1
- Main duty 2
- Etc.

Achievements
- Achievement 1
- Achievement 2
- Etc.

Continue this process for the second job also. If you studied, worked at home, or anything else, and then just mention the job you did before that. If you have only one job to list, then milk it for whatever it is worth. Make sure no important detail is left out. Make sure you account for any gaps in your CV in your covering letter.

It might be something as simple as staying back home to look after your family. Don't forget that looking after your family is a full time job and teaches you quite many invaluable lessons you can incorporate in your career.

Now, if you have a third or more jobs, you can't follow the same approach for them, this will make your CV too long, eating up valuable space. In such a case, after you mention the date, company name and the job title, list down a few bulleted points describing your achievements.

If you have worked at more than 5 places, then you should consider grouping some together.

For example, if you had a year where you tried out a couple of jobs you may write them within the same heading and briefly explain them. Remember that, if you are over 35, you don't necessarily need to include jobs that you took up during your school/college/university years, unless you think it will increase your chances of getting an interview.

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