Improving a CV

Ten ways to improve your CV

1. Tailor your CV to each job you apply for by emphasising your skills and experience that are relevant to that job.

2. Describe your transferable skills, such as team working, problem solving and planning, even if they appear unrelated to the post you’re applying for.

3. Sound positive and dynamic by using active verbs. See suggestions on the page What makes an effective application? on the Prospects website.

4. Present information in reverse chronological order. This applies to both your qualifications and your work experience. An employer is most interested in what you have done recently and expects you to devote more space on the CV to these activities.

5. Considering the visual impact. Are the headings logically ordered? Are there big blocks of text unbroken by bullet points or subheadings? Would you want to read it?

6. Be consistent in how you present information and in the layout. For example, have headings in the same style, present your employment history in the same format for each entry.

7. Check spelling and grammar, don’t just rely on a spell checker.

8. Be concise, your CV should be no more than one or two pages. If you have two pages make sure they are on separate sheets and stapled in the top left corner.

9. Review and update your CV regularly.

10. Reconside the style, content and covering letter, and get advice if you aren't getting interviews.