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What Information Should I Include In My CV?


By Glenn Hughes

A recruiter looking through a pile of CVs needs to see information in a certain way. In the same way, when we look at a menu in a restaurant, we expect to see starters, main courses, desserts and beverages laid out in a particular way. Failure to meet the readers expectations leads to confusion. Most people will put that CV straight into the "no" pile rather than waste their time trying to pick out information that should have been readily available

Your name obviously needs to be included. Please make sure you include your name in the format by which you want to be known. For example, Glenn Hughes, not Glenn Llewelyn Hughes. Whilst I do have a middle name, many thanks to my parents for such a great middle name, most of the people who know me have no idea what it is. Recruiters may feel that you are making some sort of point by including your middle name so please leave it out

Basic contact information need to have a prominent place at the top of the CV. Your name, full postal address including postcode, your land telephone line and mobile number as well must all be included. Please make sure that they all are easily readable at the top of your CV

Being able to see if your CV fits with the needs of the recruiter is very important. A brief paragraph at the top of your CV, called a career statement or personal profile should do the trick. Show how you can help a business, in what industry sector, what geographical area, at what level, and what track record can you point to with which to support your application. Basically, this should entice the recruiter to read more

Career history. This needs to highlight your achievements in each of the jobs you've done over, say the last 8 years. Work experience further back in the past should be included in an "other" work section towards the end of the document. Work from your most recent achievements in reverse chronological order (work back)

Academic qualifications. These need to be listed with the highest level first. Typically, post graduate qualifications first, then first degree, then higher qualifications (A levels) then lower level qualifications (GCSE). List them in the following way. Qualification title, Educational Institute, dates

Professional qualifications/ training courses. These are very different from academic qualifications nd should be listed as such. The same protocols as academic qualifications apply but the level of qualification is a little more subjective. Write them down in the same order: Qualification, Training provider, date

The last section of your CV is made up of hobbies, interests, other information, etc. This information is a bit like the relish on a burger- not much use without the main ingredient, but it can make the difference between a memorable meal or just another snack. Your interests should be factual. Never put your actual date of birth on your CV. There are far too many people who may want to make use of this valuable personal information who may wish to use it to steal your identity

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