Top of the list for things to include on your CV are contact details. If you are applying for a job, you need to be sure the company has your correct details to contact you if you are offered an interview. Make sure they are easy to see and are up to date; there’s no point having a mobile number on there from 4 years ago, or an old email address. Both your covering letter and CV need to have your contact details on them, in case they get seperated by HR etc.
Make sure your qualifications are on your CV and include dates, institutions, subjects and grades. Certain qualifications may be more relevant to the job you are applying for than others. If you are looking to do a job in marketing, you might want to highlight your degree in Marketing, rather than listing all your GCSE’s. Include if you have a full driving licence or any computer qualifications, as these can also be important in a number of job roles.
Highlight your relevant experience for the specific job you are applying for. You don’t need to include every job as this might take up too much space. Choose the most relevant positions and describe your activities for these roles in detail. The sectors you have worked in might also be relevant to the new position you are applying for. For example, if you have worked as a Health Care assistant but are applying for an Administrator position in a hospital, you have previous experience of working in a clinical environment. Look at the whole job advert and pick out elements from your own experience that match the job description.
Add your relevant achievements to a section on your CV. These can be academic achievements (having some work published) , professional achievements (winning an award), or simply something you have done in your spare time to improve your skills. You might include certain hobbies in this section that link to the achievements, and to you as an all-rounded individual. Try to make sure they are all relevant to the position you are applying for in a roundabout way. If you achieved something impressive (like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or something) include this; it shows commitment, determination and hard work!
Do not add a photo to your CV; it isn’t necessary and might actually jeopardise your chances of getting an interview. In an ideal world we wouldn't be discriminated against for our appearances, however you don’t want to even risk it by including a photo you needn’t have. Be sure not to include too much information, particularly with things like age, gender and disabilities. Most companies will now include an equal opportunities form with their application pack; you can include this sort of information on here.
Most importantly, never lie on your CV. Do not make up qualifications you don’t have or jobs that you never worked in. If you are found to be lying, you might jeopardise your chances of getting the job. Make your CV sound impressive, but ensure it is all truthful. You might make it through the interview and be offered the job, but you often have to provide proof of your qualifications and employers always ask for references; a job offer is only subject to these coming back as satisfactory. Ultimately, lying on your CV is just not worth it.
