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Here are our tips for the perfect CV:

Your CV is the one and only thing your potential employer has to go on (other than our recommendation) when deciding whether or not to interview you.

It may help to think of it like dressing smartly or getting a hair-cut before your interview - a good CV will help you get to that stage. An excellent CV will create a good initial impression and give the interviewer an idea of your personality.

A good CV should include:

• Full Education History
• Full Employment History
• Relevant Skills (IT, Communication and Team skills)
• Completed courses/vocational training
• Hobbies and Interests
• Personal Details (inc. Name and full contact details (inc. full name, landline and mobile phone numbers, current permanent address, Email Address). Nationality. Marital Status. And, if necessary, details of any disability.
• References (or promise of references - at least two).

CVs should be well laid out, incorporate structure and be easy to read. They should not contain a picture (unless requested), and because of the new age discrimination laws you should leave out your date of birth unless necessary.

For graduates, education should be listed first, beginning with your latest qualifications (i.e. Degree, then A-levels, then GCSEs). Then you should list your most relevant work experience, again working from the latest to the earliest.

For experienced candidates, work experience should be listed first, beginning with your current or last position and working backwards through your career. It may be helpful to highlight those roles which are most relevant to the one which you are applying for.

It is important to remember that your CV should be able to be changed and tailored towards each specific role you apply for, and is not just a one off document. Your CV is the professional portrait of your working life so far, so make sure you do it justice.