CV Content

This section will cover the areas you should think about when considering the content of your CV. If you would like to read the other sections of the CV advice article please click on the headings below.
Links to example CVs and other career advice articles can be found at the end of this section

CV and Covering Letter | CV Writing Tips | CV Content | CV Presentation

CV Content

• Always tailor your CV to the job for which you are applying. Highlight your abilities, education, qualifications and background, and then highlight the relevance to the job you are seeking. It might mean a number of changes to be made to your CV, but it will definitely help your chances of gaining an interview request.
• Endeavour to remain upbeat throughout the CV content, however, avoid quips or humour. Keep the reader's focus with short bursts of factual information. Do not have vast dialogue, as this is likely to result in your potential employer not reading your CV properly.
• Chronicle your CV from the present, backwards. Summarise previous jobs held in 3 to 10 sentences. Any missing time periods will appear suspicious, so clarify all time periods (i.e. unemployed, sabbatical, illness, etc.).
• Avoid subjective comments such as "a resourceful individual", just because they sound good, these are "banana skins" put in (by you) for you to slip up on; stick to facts and DO NOT falsify any information or make claims that may be difficult for you to back up in an interview.
• Personal details should be kept brief, but cover essential information. Remember contact details are important (or how will the recruitment agency or employer contact you, day or night?). Keep personal interests to a minimum.
• Remember to adhere to requests highlighted in advertisements. For instance, if the advertisement requests you specify your current salary package, then provide this detail. If you do not do as the advert requests then this will only frustrate the recruiter/ employer and demonstrate that you cannot follow instructions.

Good example CVs

Example CV 1

Example CV 2

Example CV 3

Want to know more?

If you've found our CV advice to be helpful then we would encourage you to spend some time reading our other career advice articles:

Career Planning & Progression

Interview Advice

Legal Advice