Your CV is a valuable device for one purpose only: to secure an interview. It will get you a foot in the door but not the job itself.

A badly prepared CV undermines the credibility of its contents - you. Your Morgan McKinley consultant can offer you personal advice on setting out your CV to provide maximum impact and a positive impression, but here are some general tips:

Length             

A CV should be as short and relevant as possible and ideally a maximum length of two sides of A4. Make sure that every sentence is there to add value and there are no 'fillers'. Ask yourself, “Why would they want to know that?” If you cannot give yourself a good answer, then they probably don't.

Content           

A clearly laid out CV, focussing on the employer’s needs, is best and can be split into key sections for easy reference:

Personal Details: make sure you provide all your contact details, including name, address, email and mobile phone number. Remember to inform your consultant if your details change.

Education/Qualifications: start with the most recent, and only give relevant qualifications. IT skills, online database use, professional skills and languages help you stand out from the crowd. Provide evidence of where you have used them.

Career History: don't just give the job titles. Explain each role and the responsibilities it involved. Don't leave any gaps as you will be questioned on these in an interview. List your duties, responsibilities and achievements keeping only what’s relevant to the new position/field. If you are moving sector, emphasise your skills and experience to make your CV more functional.

Interests: as with the Career History section, expand on activities to show the benefits you have received. Mention if you a member of an organisation, whether it be professional or extra curricular, as it shows that you are committed.

References: give full contact details to ensure that an employer can contact a referee quickly, especially if they are in another country.

When you’re finished, if possible, get someone else to proof your CV for you or give you an objective opinion on it. Then send it with a well-written, polite covering letter or by e-mail if requested.