By BarbaraW56

08 July 2008 12:30

I am thinking of looking for a new job - or even a change in career - but I am worried I may have left it too late. I'm really out of practice with CVs and interviews. Does anyone have advice?

What is this?

 

Yours Expert Answer

By Yours Answers Team

You are right, the first step to finding a new job is to write a successful CV to make a good first impression on potential employers. Updating your CV when you've been working (or out of work) for a long time may feel daunting. We found this advice on www.direct.gov

Creating a new CV
Use your CV to make the most of yourself and your achievements. It is often the first contact you will have with an employer.

What can't be left out?

Name, address, telephone numbers and email address (make sure these are up to date)

Key skills – no more than six – and consider including skills relevant to a new job

Career to date - work experience or employment history and dates

Education or qualifications

What can be left out?

Date of birth – although some employers may require this information at some stage in your application

Personal details – consider whether it is necessary to add reference to your children or marital status

Interests - only include interests that are appropriate to your job application or indicate that you have relevant, transferable skills

References on request – an employer will contact you for details of your referees if they are interested in employing you

Updating your existing CV
If you are over 50 you may have had a lot of different roles, but you can't include everything. Aim for one or two pages and edit down so as to prioritise your most recent and relevant details.

Only include the highlights - there is no need to give all the steps on your career ladder. You can save space by compressing earlier roles into short descriptions or just including job titles.

It is very important to tailor your skills, qualities and achievements to the job for which you are applying. Look at the job requirements and try to focus your CV to match the requirements where possible and then give examples to reflect this.

The basics
Here are some basic 'dos' and 'don'ts' that will help you create a good and professional impression.

Do type your CV on good-quality, white A4 paper, in a clear font

Do put your name at the top of the page – not curriculum vitae or CV

Do put all personal and contact details at the top
Do start with your most recent experience

Do keep the content clear and concise

Do use positive language take care how you lay out and present the information, making it easy to read and understand

Do aim for one to two pages if you go to two pages – which you may have to do if you have years of experience – make sure that it's evenly spread, not bunched up into a page and a half

Do prepare an initial draft then edit it down ask someone else to proofread it for you when you've finished

Do avoid time gaps – even if you weren't in paid employment refer to voluntary work or experiences that added to your skills set.

Do Keep your CV up to date and revise it for each job application

Don't include your salary on your CV – and always assume that salary is negotiable

Don't give the impression of changing jobs frequently

Don't allow spelling and typing errors to creep in

Don't overuse 'I', the first-person singular, or the past tense

Don't include irrelevant information

Don't apologise for employment mistakes, like periods of self-employment or running your own business that didn't work out.

Sample CV
There are many different ways of presenting your CV.

For some sample CVs click here