Essential Job Tips – Your CV

Finding a newjob or changing jobs is a daunting task but there are some simple things youneed to know which can make the whole experience a lot easier and smoother.

Think of your CVas a sales document - you are selling yourself to potential employers and, assuch, it should be a professional and concise representation of you and youremployment history.

Don't be temptedto write a novel! For a longer career, up to four pages is generallyacceptable, while anything longer will likely see your CV consigned to thereject pile. With positions you held many years before, it may not be relevantto mention the job at all. In other cases, it may warrant the inclusion of asingle line with the period worked, name of company and position held.

Your CV shouldinclude the following basic information: Your personaldetails (name, address, telephone number, email address) are the obviousstarting point as you need your prospective employer to be able to contact youeasily in regards to your job application.

Professionalqualifications (if any) and be honest. Many people are tempted to be a little loose with the truth in this areafrom slight exaggeration to an out and out lie! While many employers look to professional qualifications as a filter inthe event that they get lots of applications a strong CV with good professionalexperience should hold its own if you have been in a “learn on the job” role.

Career history,starting with your most recent job and working backwards and again honesty isthe best policy.  It has becomeincreasingly easier for employers to verify this information so don’t leave outpositions or talk yourself up to be more than you have been.  Often a simple Google search will reveal anyindescrepancies particularly if you have made contributions to web sites orhave had a role which involved media contact.

Yourachievements in each role should also be highlighted but be concise and makesure you only highlight that which deserves to be.  Simply accomplishing the tasks which would beexpected to be a normal part of your job is nothing to brag about.

At least tworeferees and their contact details may be provided, however, you should ensureyour referees are prepped and expect the call. It is also acceptable to note that references can be provided on requestwhich allows you the freedom to apply for many positions knowing that yourchosen referees will not be inundated with calls unless you are in a finalselection.

The format ofyour CV should be very clear and easy to read, with a simple font like Ariel orTimes New Roman, using 11 or 12 point size and one and half line spacing.Highlight the names of your employers, the position you held and the yearsspent working there.

Your CV is partof the first impression you make with an interviewer and first impressionscount for a lot! It's worth putting a lot of effort in to craft an outstandingCV to give yourself every advantage in a very competitive arena.

David James Brewster, is a writer for Classifind.com.au. Classifind.com.au is Australia's largest search engine specialising in jobs. Hundreds of thousands of job listings from major Australian job boards are brought together in one place, reducing search time.