What to Include in Your CV

Including the key elements in your CV is crucial for grabbing the attention of potential employers. Remember, the goal of your CV is to secure an interview, not to tell your life story. Employers receive numerous applications, so it's important to keep your CV concise and engaging to prevent it from being overlooked.

Here are the essential sections to include in your CV:

Personal Details

Start with your contact information, including your name, address, phone number (including international and regional dialing codes), and email address. While optional, you can also mention your marital status and date of birth, although excluding this information is often recommended.

Skills

Create a short bullet-pointed list highlighting your skills. Keep the descriptions brief, as employers usually scan this section quickly. Save detailed explanations for the interview.

Education and Qualifications

List your qualifications, both formal and vocational. Keep this section concise, including details of where you received your training and the dates. Unless your grades are exceptional, omitting them is generally advisable.

Work Experience

Detail your previous employment and experience in reverse chronological order. Include start and end dates, along with a brief summary of your roles and responsibilities. If some of your past jobs are unrelated to the position you're applying for, it's acceptable to omit them. Avoid mentioning your salaries when listing work experience.

References

While it's common for employers to check references, you don't need to provide them until a job offer is made (contingent upon satisfactory references). You can state that references are available on request or upon receiving a job offer.

Additional Tips

• Always run a spell check on your CV to ensure accuracy.
• Avoid using acronyms or technical jargon that may not be familiar to all readers involved in the hiring process.
• Write your CV in the first person to convey authenticity and ownership.
• Keep your CV within two pages and use a legible font.
• Refrain from using fancy typefaces or borders to maintain a professional appearance.

Crafting an effective CV with these components will increase your chances of standing out to potential employers and securing an interview.

If you would like a free CV review or help from a professional CV writer, we recommend a few to try here.

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