A CV can never be more than a thumbnail sketch of what you have done and achieved so far. Nonetheless, it’s the one way that you have of catching the eye of potential employers and persuading them to invite you to an interview. Which is why it’s so important to spend time and attention on getting your CV right!

Your CV should start with your name, address and contact details (telephone, mobile, email).
The next part should be titled ‘Profile’ and should summarise your experience and skills. For example:

Profile: Trained as a Legal Secretary in Nottingham and have since gained 3 years’ experience with a medium-sized law firm. Core skills include calmness under pressure, professional attitude to work and exceptional speed and accuracy. The next section should be:

Job History: Start with the most recent position and work backwards, emphasising all relevant experience and achievements gained within each appointment. (Relevant means experience that will be of use to you in your future working life and which will impress prospective employers because those are the skills they are looking for in their best staff.) Then go on to:

Education: This should only be detailed if you’ve recently completed your education; if you’ve already been working for some years, then prospective employers are more interested in your work experience than in the fact you were a prefect or a member of the hockey team.

Interests: Keep this brief – you’re in the office to work, after all!