CV Writing Skills.

Writing a good CV is easy. Writing an outstanding CV, well, that's easy too actually, if you know what to include and what to leave out, which bits to emphasize and how to avoid the main howlers. This section provides you with the CV writing skills you need for writing a perfect CV, which will help you maximise your chances of receiving that vital invitation for a job interview.

Starting from scratch: creating a solid CV. If you are starting from scratch, the first step is to produce a solid, clearly laid out CV which contains all the necessary information. Getting the basics right is vital; click here for more advice and for a sample CV format you can use as a starting point. [pdf]

Common CV mistakes you should avoid. As someone who is just entering the job market, you will surely will be forgiven for the odd imperfection in your CV, right? Wrong. You are a player in a fiercely competitive (and supply heavy) market, and employers prefer to select candidates who present themselves flawlessly. Click here to get a feel for the actual mistakes some graduates make, and make sure your CV does not contain them. [pdf]

Customising to create a winning CV. OK, so you have a solid, howler-free CV in front of you, and along comes a job opportunity that would make your wildest dreams come true. To maximise your chances of being successful, you should customise your CV so that it matches the 'ideal candidate profile' as closely as possible. Here is how to do it. [pdf]

Writing your CV cover letter. Whereas a young, entrepreneurial company like Google might ask you to submit your CV electronically, a more traditional company probably prefers Postman Pat to pop 'round and upset the Friends of the Amazonian Rainforest. But no matter what method you use, you should always include a cover letter with your CV. Click here for a sample cover letter and more tips. [pdf]