Here's what I've written in my advice regarding CV writing.
It shouldn’t be more than a page of A4 – for everyone. Even for CEOs of big corporations. Any more than this and the reader will get bored. If the job is a good one there will be lots of applicants and the reader will looks for any excuse to reduce their workload. This means your CV may end up in the bin without being read if it looks hard work to get through.
The appearance is critical. Don’t produce a page of Times New Roman or Arial with all the same point size and with no emphasis. Work on font size (keep it all the same font though) spacing, bold and italics. I used Garamond as it’s smart and easy to read. Text boxes are excellent for highlighting the points you want noticed – like your contact details and professional qualifications. If they decide they like what they see, the contact number has to be immediately apparent.
Name: Large and bold. You want them to remember you – make an impact. Don’t write ‘CV’ or ‘Curriculum Vitae.’ They know what it is.
Availability – important. The first thing they need to know is if you can work for them when they want you.
Profile/word picture: Short, with impact. Bold and large and written in the third person. It’s better if it appears that it’s an appraisal written by someone else. This goes for the whole CV.
Contact details: In a text box to make sure the prospective employer Make sure you’re contactable at all times. If they can’t contact you at the first attempt – the job may go to the next CV on the pile. Also, make it international with the country dialling code included in your phone numbers. You may not be applying for jobs outside the UK, but make it look as if you are not limited by boundaries.
Education – if you don’t have any professional qualifications, list all your exam results. They want to know exactly what they are getting.
Work experience – most recent at the top, list your duties. Older or less relevant jobs can be relegated to one line – it’s the stuff you’ve done recently which counts more.
Other experience – your chance to sell yourself highlighting your various other skills.
Other stuff – you can list interests etc – but be careful of embellishing this just in case you interviewer shares the same hobby. Some people think including a photo is appropriate. This is only relevant if you’re applying for a modelling job. In most cases, your photo is more likely to attract a negative response. But if you do, attach it separately – don’t embed it in the CV.
When done, print it on good quality white paper at your best printer setting send it to the prospective employer with a covering letter stating how much you want to work in your prospective employer’s field and particularly with them, but don’t repeat anything you have put in the CV. Also, personally addressed to the recruitment officer is best – some research is necessary here. Make sure you get their name correct!
Good luck – and don’t show your CV to other people – you are in competition!