Crafting the perfect CV.

For almost all job applications, you'll need a CV. This is a paper representation of yourself, which could potentially be the only thing a prospective employer will see, and therefore needs to be worked on and perfected. Here's our straight forward guide to getting the best of yourself on paper.

1. Start with your name and contact details.
- Provide a telephone number, mobile and land line if possible.
- Make sure your e-mail address isn't anything embarrassing (fluffyfairyxo@hotmail.com, badboy69@live.co.uk... you know the ones)

2. Personal profile.
Remember what you're applying for, here. List any hobbies or interests if they're relevant, describe your talents and skills if they show you'd be great for the position, and keep out anything irrelevant. When CV searching, the most important information (for the employer) will be whether you're capable of the job.

3. Career and work history.
- Work backwards, starting with your most recent placement. Again, remain relevant to the job you're applying for, so list skills in a way that reflects your ability to perform the tasks described in your job description.
- Don't feel the need to list every qualification you have - if you won extra curricular Dance awards and you're applying for a warehouse vacancy, you can definitely put that space to better use.

4. Extra skills, experiences, qualifications etc.
- If you have anything else you feel would back up your application, present it in an easily understandable way. List the thing, the dates (if applicable) and then the experience in regards to your application. Important skills that can't be learned through qualifications are things such as teamwork, communication and timekeeping - things you may have learned through voluntary work or traveling.

5. References.
- Include at least two references here, as recent as possible. You will know which employer is best to list here, so make sure you choose wisely! A reference acts as a guarantor against you - a safeguard you are as good a worker as you claim.

6. Check!
- It is vital you check for spelling and grammatical mistakes as this is one of the biggest tell-tale signs of a rushed application, and a lack of pride in your work.
- Double check and check again that  your CV is written in regards to the job description. It's perfectly fine to have multiple CV's if you're applying for multiple jobs.
- Check the length of your CV. Keep it precise and to the point, and ideally no longer than two sides of A4.

When you've followed these tips, why not send us your CV and let us find you a job? Contact your local branch today.