CV Preparation

A CV is an advertisement of yourself and should portray only the best. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind...

Keep It Simple
Simple and concise, that is (two pages, maximum). Information should be factual and accurate. Work history should always be set out in chronological (date) order working backwards (starting with current or last position).

Avoid First Person
Don't use the word "I" in your CV or go into too much detail (for example "I was responsible for managing accounts for the administration department and I also carried out secretarial duties..." and so on). Rather list the duties in point form giving brief descriptions. This way is more succinct and professional looking.

Triple Check It (Twice)
Grammar and spelling should be absolutely correct. Anything less than faultless knocks points off immediately. Ensure that your CV is totally free of typos. Triple check it with a fine tooth comb. Get family members and friends to check it over for you too. Don't rely on your spell check facility as it picks up misspelled words only and not typos. For example, you may have typed you instead of your which spell check will not identify. Name, address, telephone numbers, post codes etc. of the company to which you are applying should be carefully checked to ensure that details are accurate. Double check tricky names, for example McDonald (Macdonald?), etc.

Back Your Facts
If you're going to summarise aspects of your experience, make sure that you back them up in your work history. For example, a statement such as "Computerised Bookkeeping" in the summary should also be detailed as one of your work responsibilities such as: Managed accounts to trial balance using Pastel.

Other Tips

• Your CV should be flexible. Keep it on your hard drive or a stiffy disk (if you don't have your own computer) so that you can tailor it to suit different jobs. Develop the art of minimising skills and experience not applicable and highlighting those which match the position you're after.
• If you've little or no work experience be sure to include information relating to school or community involvement which may show skills such as leadership, teamwork etc.
• Include as many contact numbers as you can. Fax numbers and email addresses are always useful to have on a CV. If you don't have a fax number or email address, ask a friend who has one if you can use it, or use a fax receiving service.

Author: Lee Currie

Lee Currie is a freelance journalist who also writes and publishes training manuals. Ms Currie is a certified resume writer (Professional Resume Writer's Association, USA ) and has spent two years managing a resume writing service in Canada.

For more information visit www.cvsthenewway.co.za.