Did you know that the average time an employer will spend reading your CV is only 2 minutes, therefore your CV should always be typed on good quality A4 sized paper and it should be of no more than 2 pages in length.

Your CV says a lot about you - get it right first time
Employers are likely to receive many CVs so first impressions count. Take the time to lay it out clearly and check for spelling mistakes and errors. It is a good idea to ask someone else to read it before you send it off just in case you have missed something.
Do some research into the company you are sending your CV to. This will allow you to tailor your CV to the post that you are applying for.
Always send an original, not a photocopy. 

General Tips

• Think carefully before you begin.  Your CV should be organised, easy to read and interesting.  Use headings, short sentences or bullet points to get the information across clearly
• Use specific terms rather than general phrases - 'I have two years experience of' is better than 'I have lots of experience of'
• Be honest and accurate - remember this information is likely to form the basis of your interview

Personal details

• Name in full - use this as the heading rather than Curriculum Vitae - your name will stick in the interviewer's memory
• Full postal address with postcode
• Phone number, daytime and evening numbers if possible and whether each number is a direct line, switchboard or answer phone. May also be a good idea to include your mobile number
• Driving licence - if you have a full, clean driving licence say so

Education, training and qualifications

• Start with college or university, then schools, with the highest level of education obtained
• Name schools and colleges with the location. List dates attended, and the results achieved, including grades
• List any specialist training courses attended that are relevant to the job, stating whether they were internal or external

Employment history

• Include a brief statement about your achievements and career aims, if you wish
• List all employment, with the most recent job first. State the name, nature and size of each of the businesses, alongside the dates of employment, job title and reporting line. If you are currently working it is advisable to omit the name of your present employer, only indicating the nature of the business
• List your achievements and responsibilities and results for each job using bullet points. Place more emphasis on achievements as they carry more impact than responsibilities. Try to highlight achievements for all jobs: e.g. increasing company turnover, improving staff morale
• Avoid leaving gaps in your employment history. If you have taken a career break to, for instance, travel or raise a family, say so

Additional information

• Use this as an opportunity to express something of your personality, but keep this section brief and factual
• Skills - for example computer skills with the packages you can use, typing speed, and any languages, stating how well you can speak or write them
• Interests and hobbies - Try to show hobbies that underline skills useful to the job - sports show health and fitness; chairman of a society shows leadership; secretary of a team shows organisation

References

• Not generally required - only enclose them if you are specifically asked to

Covering Letter
A CV should always be accompanied by a covering letter, even if the advertisement does not ask for one.

• The letter should be a maximum of one page
• Note whether the advertisement asks for a hand-written letter; if not, word process the letter in the same style as your CV
• Address it to the relevant person (make sure their name and the company name are spelt correctly)
• State what job you are applying for and where it was advertised with a reference number if required
• Show in your comments that you have researched the company, product, market, etc.
• Outline why you want the job and expand on any skills you have that are directly relevant to the job
• Be polite and confident using positive statements
• Include any relevant information that is not covered on your CV - do not duplicate information
• End by saying you look forward to seeing them in the near future
• Check there are no spelling mistakes and that the letter is clearly and logically presented
• Keep a copy for your reference