How to write the perfect CV

1. Divide your career history into sections, using the following headings:

• Personal details: Include your full name, address, email and telephone numbers
   
• Education: Unless you are at graduate entry level, it is not necessary to list your A-levels. It’s more important to focus on further education, particularly diplomas, qualifications and degrees
   
• Professional qualifications: You may like to mention how these qualifications were obtained
   
• Current or last employment: This section is likely to be of most interest to prospective employers and needs the most attention. If you are applying for a particular job, be sure to address requests for salary information or specific skills
   
• Previous employment history: This is less important and can be relayed in brief. Be careful to explain any gaps – for example, if you took time out to go travelling or raise a family
   
• Training and development: Don’t provide a long list. It’s better to emphasise the training courses which are relevant either to the role you are applying for or which showcase specific skills
   
• Personal interests and activities: This is optional but it may be worth including if you feel they reinforce key aspects of your personality, skills or experience – such as the role of school governor, voluntary worker or fund-raiser

2. Keep your CV factual. Avoid being too verbose or adopting a conversational tone.

3. Write in the third-person.

4. Don’t include your reasons for leaving your current role. This is best discussed at interview.