How To Prepare a CV

“How To Prepare a CV” is a pretty big subject – we’ll look at the idea from several angles.

The first thing to consider is why use the word prepare. I think that preparation and planning is absolutely the key to success when creating or preparing a CV. We interview people all the time when we create their CVs for them – by far the easiest clients to deal with are those that have all their information together all in one place and then the framework is so much easier to create. We can then spend more time on the content and the end result is so much better.

Base information that is essential when considering how to prepare a CV is as follows:

Employment dates, commencement and leaving month and job titles and locations. The month and year is important as employers like the comfort of having the detail, ready in front of them. For example, Sales Manager XYZ widget Company London UK, From Sep 2009 – Dec 2011 is a lot better than 2009 – 2011 XYZ widgets.

The employment history needs to be laid out on the CV in reverse chronological order- this means that you start with the most recent employment detail and this is key when considering how to prepare a CV.

Achievements/accomplishments at every company for which you have worked as well as your career achievements is the next element. Employers generally care about what you can do for them- they don’t care about the responsibilities or the activities that you carried out in previous roles. they do, however, care very much about what you delivered for past employers as that is a very good indication as to how you may contribute to their organisation.

Qualifications. No matter what stage you are at in your career, your educational and professional qualifications are important. Dig out the certificates, notifications and awards that you have gained in your career. The key facts that are needed are: Title of qualification, grade or level, date awarded/ sat/ expiration and accrediting body (if applicable).

Professional and academic qualifications are different.

Academic or educational qualifications are studied for through a school, college, university and the like. Professional qualifications are awarded through an accredited body such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Other awards/ hobbies, interests, etc. These are important but of far less significance when considering how to prepare a CV. This area is generally used to spice up the CV, give interest and humanity and personality rather than someone who is faceless, boring and the like.

The other key element to consider is to think of and answer any questions that an employer may need to have answered in their mind before writing the CV. Some companies insist on levels of qualification, experience, contacts, industry experience and the like and whilst this clearly changes depending on what type of job role you are looking for, is completely relevant when preparing your CV. Make sure that any possible question an employer may have is answered. For example, if a driving licence is going to be needed- for example if a company car is part of the salary package, make sure that you say that you have a full licence within the CV.

The actual layout can vary when you come to write the CV; however these are the key elements to consider when answering the question “How to prepare a CV?.