Your cv is a sales tool with one purpose - to get you an interview. The format that you use is a matter of personal choice, but the following guidelines will help your cv to do its job.
Layout
Your cv must look good. If it's easy on the eye it is much more likely to get a fair reading.
Make the cv as long as is necessary to do your experience justice but cut down on detail of your early career if you need to reduce overall length. Two pages is usually enough for graduate roles, but more experienced candidates will need more than this.
Use consistent formatting and don't overuse frames, tables and borders.
Choose a font that is easy to read - and stick with it.
Leave the margins where they are.
Bullet points are effective visual aids, but don't overuse them.
Make sure that your personal and contact details are prominent and up to date.
Avoid graphics and special effects unless you are applying for a job in graphic design. It is better to have a conventional-looking cv than one that stands out for the wrong reasons.
Text
The text needs to be clearly worded, concise but complete. Recruiters don't usually have time or experience enough to read between the lines. Assume that the reader of your cv is not an expert in your technical field and state the obvious if necessary.
A brief personal profile and list of key technical skills are useful for the reader.
Write the cv in the first person.
Don't leave any unexplained gaps. The reader of the cv will assume the worst.
Don't forget to include details of professional and educational qualifications, with details of relevant training courses.
Set out your employment history in reverse chronological order.
Avoid 'humorous' references unless you are applying for a job as a stand-up comic.
If you decide to list your interests outside work, avoid making reference to unusual activities that might prejudice the reader.
Check for spelling mistakes and bad grammar.
Relevance
Only apply for jobs for which you are potentially suitable. Your experience, earning expectations and personal circumstances must all be approximately right.
Make sure that your cv refers to the skills or experience that are required in the job description. If you lack the experience, the covering letter is the place to explain why you think you might still be a suitable candidate.
Make sure that all the information contained in your cv is true.
Recruiters use search tools to identify candidates on databases with specific skills. Make sure that your cv will be picked up by listing all the areas in which you have experience, using the most commonly-used spelling or wording.
Covering letter
A covering letter that is specifically tailored to the job in question and addressed to the hiring manager by name will indicate that you are serious about your application. Make sure that you have all details correct or the effect will be undermined.
Include information about your salary / current rate, notice period, and whether or not you will relocate for the job. If there are any other relevant factors, mention them.
