CV content

It is a good idea to split your CV into 5 sections: Personal Information, Education, System Skills, Qualifications and Employment History. They should be in this order:

Personal Information

  • Full name.
  • Full address.
  • Telephone numbers (day/evening/mobile - as appropriate).
  • E-mail address.
  • If relevant, state whether you are eligible to work, the visa you possess or if you need a work permit.
  • Always include any language capability and state your proficiency (do not exaggerate your fluency, as an interviewer may decide to interview you in the language concerned!).

Systems skills

  • All Microsoft packages used and level i.e. advanced or intermediate.
  • Any specialist computer packages used.
  • Audio and copy typing speeds.
  • Short hand, minute taking capabilities.

Qualifications

List all education including high school and university. Education should include grades, dates and the name of the academic institution.

This section should also include any professional qualifications. Additionally, employers often look for any work related training - especially if it has led to a particular qualification. Examples are fire training, management training or Microsoft package training.

Employment history

It is generally accepted practice to put your employment history in reverse chronological order and this section should include dates, name of the company, job title, comprehensive duties and responsibilities and achievements.

People tend to shorten their CVs to two pages as they think that this is what agencies and employers like to see. In a generalist application in the secretarial and support marketplace it is always better to be thorough and list all your duties in as much detail as possible.

This gives your consultant all the information about what you do and then enables your consultant to accurately tailor your CV for each role they submit you to. Think of it like this, if you don’t have all your responsibilities on the CV how will a potential employer know what you do and to what level?

Remember at all times that potential employers are looking for evidence that you can add value to the job and the organisation.

  • Give most space to your most recent job.
  • If you do not work for a well-known organisation it might be appropriate to insert a brief description of the company and its business.
  • Ensure start and end dates are on the CV including year and month.
  • State your title, what department you work in and who you support i.e. Personal Assistant to the Human Resources Director and a team of 5 generalists in the HR Department.
  • List all specific responsibilities and duties with a small sentence i.e. extensive diary management for 4 Directors, arranging meetings and meeting rooms for internal employees.
  • Do not leave out any period of employment for whatever reason. It is important to ensure that your time is accountable otherwise this may prove difficult to explain at interview.
  • Do not embellish your CV or be economical with the truth (i.e. overstating your experience or accomplishments) – you will be found out at interview.
  • Salary information should be left off the CV. Be prepared to discuss your salary with recruitment consultants at an early stage, so they know you are in the right range.
  • Try not to use technical/professional jargon.
  • Take the time to add an achievement that has benefited the company, improved processes, saved them time or money or improved your work life.

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